After you have completed your online module and attended a workshop, you will need to complete an evidence form that is shared with the Carbon Literacy Project so they can issue a certificate to show you have completed your course.
Below is some guidelines and insight into what the certification team are looking for when they read your evidence forms.
A key thing to remember is the evidence form is all the Carbon Literacy Project have to assess whether or not you are are Carbon Literate
If you have any questions at all about the form, please don’t hesitate to email chris@86-carbon.co.uk
Answering the question ‘what are the most important changes we need to make as a society to reach zero carbon?
For this question, have a think about some of the actions we talked about during the workshop. Renewable energy, circular economies, more active and public transport, less red meat and reducing food waste.
Give as much detail as you can in your answer, and refer back to lowering carbon emissions and avoiding climate change.
Finally, avoid talking about offsetting as the CLP are keen we focus on reducing emissions wherever possible, rather than finding excuses to continue with business as usual.
Pledges
Below is a list of things the Carbon Literacy Project is looking for in pledges, with some examples from the CLP of answers that would and would not pass.
You are pledging a new action rather than continuting to do something you are already doing, or have been told to do by your organisation.
Won’t pass: I already walk to work, so I will keep doing this and not use cars which emit CO2 and N2O which contribute to climate change
Will pass: I already walk to work, but I will further this action by encouraging others to do the same and indirectly prevent more GHG emissions.
You are pledging an action which is significant
Won’t pass: I am going to fill the kettle up with the right amount of water to save energy
Will pass: I’m going to switch to a 100% renewable energy supplier so that none of my electricity comes from the burning of fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change
You have shown you understand the impact of the pledged action
On the form, you will be asked whether your action has a low/medium/high impact in reducing carbon emisssions. You should show a good understanding of the size of the impact. In the answers below, the learner who things cycling to work 1 day each month has a high impact without explaing why is not going to pass.
Won’t pass: High – I’m going to cycle to work 1 day per month
Will pass: Medium – I’m going to suggest implementing a cycle-to-work scheme at the next team meeting. If facilities are better and people have affordable access to bikes, it makes it easier and improves access to cycling meaning that, hopefully, less people will choose to travel by car. This might not directly reduce emissions by a lot, but it could influence others and indirectly lead to their GHG reductions.
You show you understand the difference between actions which are good for the environment generally vs actions which mitigate climate change
Whilst actions like reducing waste, avoiding water polution and recycling are good things they have a small impact in preventing climate change.
Won’t pass: I’m going to recycle all single use plastics as they can end up outside of the waste stream, polluting environments and harming animals
Will pass: I’m going to stop using single use plastics as they are made from crude oil which is a fossil fuel and the extraction, manufacturing, distribution and waste disposal processes are energy intensive, directly contributing to climate change.
You have explained the links between the action and mitigating climate change
Won’t pass: I’m going to become vegetarian
Will pass: I’m going to stop eating red meat as cows and sheep produce methane (a very potent GHG which contributes to climate change) as they digest food
You have explained how your action will reduce carbon emissions rather than just offset them.
Won’t pass: I’m going to plant a tree in my garden to store carbon
Will pass: I will commit to stop flying for unnecessary trips, and offset any that are absolutely vital and not possible by surface transprot (e.g. train) via an accredited offsetting tree-planting scheme.
Examples of individual actions
A good place to start is the WWF Carbon Footprint calculator. Choose one of their recommended actions and make sure you have included all the information the Carbon Literacy Project are looking for by checking the list above.
Examples of group actions
Return to the organisation action matrix you completed in a group during the workshop (these will have been emailed out after the course has finished).
Which action(s) could you take responsibility for and encourage others in your organisations to do the same? What will your specific role be?
Checklist
Now that you have a better understanding of what the Carbon Literacy are looking for, double check the list below and tick off each item to ensure you have included all the necessary detail on your evidence form.
And remember: the evidence form is all the Carbon Literacy Projct have to assess whether or not you are are Carbon Literate.
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You are pledging a new action
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You are pledging an action which is significant
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You have shown you understand of the impact of the pledged action
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You are pledging an action which will take place in context with a workplace or group in the brewing sector
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You show you understand the difference between actions which are good for the environment generally vs actions which mitigate climate change
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You have explained the links between the action and mitigating climate change
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You have explained how your action will reduce carbon emissions