Carbon Literacy for Community Energy in North East England

Carbon Literacy is ‘an awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis.’

This training will be held in-person in central York at the Clementhorpe Room in the Priory Street Centre.

Are you a community energy group or a third sector organisation with space for community energy? Whether you're a leisure centre, community centre, charity with a roof or a voluntary organisation wanting to pursue community energy, this training may be perfect for you.

Eligibility Criteria for Funded Training

This training is being funded via the North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. Participants are eligible for funding if they meet all of the below criteria:

1. They are based in the North East of England, including Yorkshire
2. They are currently working on or seeking to pursue community energy projects within their role and/or community
3. Their role has the appropriate authority to pursue the above projects.

The aim of the training is to increase capacity for community energy projects across the region. Funding will be allocated to those who are most suitable to contribute to this goal. In your order, you will need to answer a set of questions which will be used to assess your eligiblity and suitability. We will then confirm whether you are eligible for the funding or not within 5 working days.

Places will be limited to two participants per organisation to maximise impact across the region.

This in-person training will run from 9:30am - 4:30pm on 12 December. This includes a 1-hour lunch break, plus morning and afternoon refreshment breaks.

What will I learn?

This course aims to help embed climate action and specifically community energy projects in your organisation and area. The practical, solution-focused content will identify examples of carbon reduction whilst group activities provide an opportunity to work together with others to develop new opportunities.

This training will include a showcase on community energy (CE). CE projects offer uniquely place-based solutions that help reach local and national net zero targets, empower the local community and fueling the local economy. Therefore, we welcome community energy groups and third sector organisations interested in community energy projects that maximise social benefit.

By sharing and showcasing best practice, knowledge and expertise, we can make informed decisions to address the scale and urgency of the climate emergency. You will leave the training with tangible and clear ideas on the methods through which you can directly reduce carbon emissions across your organisation and community.

To gain your Carbon Literate certificate, you will be expected to complete some individual study ahead of the course (around 2 hours) that will give you a well-rounded insight into carbon and climate to apply to your local authority role and setting, plus submit an Evidence Form afterwards.

Upon completion of the training and evidence form, you can join over 100,000 learners to gain Carbon Literacy certification by completing a short evidence form, including a personal and professional pledge, to the Carbon Literacy Project (CLP) who certify you.

Who is this course for?

This course is targeted to anyone in the third sector, voluntary or community groups across Yorkshire and North East England who meets the eligibility criteria outlined above, including a mandate that you must be responsible for or motivated to develop community energy projects.

Who will deliver the training?

The course will be delivered by Change Agents UK, a charity and non-profit who have been educating, inspiring and empowering people for over 25 years through their flagship Sustainability Leadership Skills programme, bespoke courses and delivering Carbon Literacy training to hundreds of learners across sectors and regions.

Who is funding the regional training?

This course is being funded by the North East & Yorkshire (NEY) Net Zero Hub. The Hub works with public sector organisations, their stakeholders and communities to develop fundable net zero projects and deliver local energy strategy. They exist to accelerate the region’s ambitious efforts to drive a low carbon, clean growth future.

Is the venue accessible?

The venue is a 10-minute walk from York train station. The Clementhorpe Room is on the ground floor and there is water access in the building for you to fill up reusable bottles. Lunch will not be provided but tea/coffee will be served on a mid-morning break.

There is no free on-site parking but there are two pay-and-display car parks nearby:

• Priory Street Car Park is a 10 bay pay and display car park (spaces cannot be pre-booked and this car park is externally managed)
• Nunnery Lane Car Park – is a pay and display car park located close to the Priory Street Centre
• Park and Ride services are located across the city

We recommend travelling by public transport where possible to align with the sustainability aspirations of the training. You can read more about the venue here: Conference Venue York | Priory Street Centre