A Machynlleth-based environmental education charity has announced a new short course to help reduce carbon emissions at local councils.

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) says it will be introducing a new Carbon Literacy Project accredited online short course as part of a global climate action training day.

Specifically developed for those working in local authorities, the course has two bookable dates with the option to finish the training on 1 November 2021, the first day of COP26, when thousands of learners across the world will also complete Carbon Literacy training.

Paul Allen, CAT’s Knowledge and Outreach coordinator and one of the trainers on the new course said:

"Local authorities have a huge role to play in the journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. This training ensures anyone working for a local authority has the crucial knowledge presented in our Zero Carbon Britain research, and the skills and motivation to go on and create change in their own lives, their work and wider communities."

Drawing on CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain research, the new course will explore climate solutions in depth, enabling local authorities to create action plans and gain Carbon Literate certification. CAT has developed the course in collaboration with the Carbon Literacy Project, and output from the course will be assessed by the project in order for attendees to become Carbon Literate accredited.

The Carbon Literacy Project describes Carbon Literacy as ‘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.’

"The course is part of a wide range of training courses, events, detailed research reports, innovation labs and free online resources delivered by CAT’s Zero Carbon Britain Hub and Innovation Lab," added Mr Allen.

"Through this work, the Zero Carbon Britain Hub and Innovation Lab supports communities, councils and organisations to act on the climate and biodiversity emergency."

The training will take place online, and is suitable for all roles within a local authority. As well as live lectures, Q&As, workshops and networking, there will be timetabled offline breaks and reflection sessions for a rich online learning experience.

More information is available via CAT at www.cat.org.uk