This year, Heritage Trust Network is facilitating Heritage Carbon Literacy Training on behalf of Historic England. Delivered by Becky Valentine, sustainability and building health check consultant, this training gives attendees a foundation knowledge of climate change and its impacts on the heritage sector. This includes carbon emissions, how to start climate conversations and climate justice. At the end of the training, individuals are empowered to make pledges to reduce their organisation’s carbon footprint.
As the course administrator and technical support, I have enjoyed sitting quietly in the background and listening to member’s discussions. Not only do they have ambitious plans for the future, but many have already been actively working to reduce their environmental impact. From Alexandra Palace’s sustainability achievements (see the graphic below) to Trusts working with private owners of heritage buildings to help them make environmentally sustainable decisions and organisations considering the three scopes of emissions when thinking about Carbon Accounting, it is inspirational to see the heritage sector being proactive about our future.
Alexandra Palace- Sustainability Achievements 2022/2023
During the training, attendees share links and resources they have used on their journey that they think will support others.
- Julies Bicycle – a pioneering not-for-profit, mobilising the arts and culture to take action on the climate, nature and justice crisis.
- Vision 2025 – sustainable materials and waste management toolkit
- Bank Green– find out if your bank makes green investments
- Make My Money Matter– Oblivia Coalmine
- The Green Web Foundation– Does your website run on green energy?
- Cloud Artisans – Greening your website
- The Carbon Map– explore carbon emissions around the world
- Historic England’s Technical Tuesdays
- VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme– new funding scheme to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England improve their energy efficiency.
- Homebaked– This community group has a great way of communicating who they are and how they are sustainably regenerating their local area
I would love to hear what you are doing to reduce your carbon footprint, and what resources you have used on your journey. Email me on Jessica.vanderdrift@heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk.
Paying members can find out more climate crisis resources in our Toolkit.
Are you interested in Heritage Carbon Literacy Training? Find out more *
*Heritage Carbon Literacy training is funded for one person per organisation in England Local authorities, higher education establishments and private owners are not eligible for this training.
