Council recognised for climate change and zero-carbon efforts

A Gwent council has been recognised for its efforts to reduce carbon emissions by becoming a Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation.

The accreditation reflects Monmouthshire County Council’s commitment to tackling climate change and working towards a zero-carbon future by increasing awareness of the carbon impact of everyday activities and empowering individuals and organisations to take action.

Cllr Catrin Maby, cabinet member for climate change at MCC, said: “Becoming a zero-carbon county is at the heart of our purpose, and taking steps to reduce carbon emissions both ourselves and in the wider community is key to how we address the climate and nature emergencies.

“This is why I am so pleased that we have been recognised as a Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation.”

The council first engaged with carbon literacy training through a programme involving public sector organisations from Gwent.

As a result, it can now deliver training in-house to officers, councillors, and community members.

To date about 115 people have completed the training and become formally certified as carbon literate.

The training involves a day of learning about climate change and requires participants to make two pledges to reduce carbon emissions—one as an individual and one as part of a group.

The scheme aims to build knowledge, skills, and confidence to reduce emissions and share that understanding with others.

Dave Coleman, co-founder and managing director of The Carbon Literacy Project, said: “Carbon literacy is an essential skill, vital to every workplace, community, and place of study.

“It is the foundational knowledge and a catalyst to empowering people to act on climate.

“By becoming a Bronze accredited Carbon Literate Organisation, Monmouthshire County Council has demonstrated its commitment to genuine low-carbon action, environmental and economic impact, and the building of a low-carbon future for us all.”

The council hopes the accreditation will encourage more organisations across the county to embrace carbon literacy training and take meaningful steps to address the climate emergency.