Bloomsbury to launch Carbon Literacy Training for staff

Bloomsbury is launching its Carbon Literacy Training to boost understanding of what climate change means both locally and globally from an individual and professional perspective. 

Available to all Bloomsbury staff globally, the course has been designed by author Jen Gale with input from Jude Drake, head of sustainability at Bloomsbury, and covers issues from the climate crisis and carbon footprints to climate justice and how to take action. In collaboration with the Carbon Literacy Project, the course will be launched in time for Carbon Literacy Action Day on 4th December. 

The training supports the company’s aim to "influence culture change" and will help staff to "make informed sustainable decisions". Tapping into Bloomsbury’s immediate sphere of influence, the course is aims to increase climate awareness and drive behaviour change. 

Staff will come away understanding Bloomsbury’s impact, as well as the company’s targets and ongoing initiatives. They will also learn how they can support emissions reduction efforts through the decisions they make, whether it be at design, production, procurement, publishing or strategic level.

The course has been accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project, which defines carbon literacy as "relevant climate change learning that catalyses action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions". The project will also provide the certification for staff on completion of the course.

The course will be available to all staff and will be introduced as part of Bloomsbury’s new starter induction. According to the publisher, there has already been interest in the programme, with 85 staff signing up to complete the training within an hour of sending out information on course availability. 

Staff need to complete a day’s worth of training to become certified and the programme will be offered on a voluntary basis. The first courses will be held online with scope to hold in-person session in the future. 

Drake said: “Carbon literacy is important for any future looking business and we are excited to launch Bloomsbury’s Carbon Literacy Training course. It’s informative and fun, if a little scary in parts, and we hope people will come away feeling empowered. We know our colleagues care about sustainability and want them to feel confident in their knowledge and ability to take action.”

Phil Korbel, co-founder of the Carbon Literacy Project, commented: "In the same way that the climate crisis is impacting on all walks of life, we need all employers to step up to the plate and enable their people to do their best thing to counter it. That’s why it’s such good news that a company with the standing enjoyed by Bloomsbury are coming on board with carbon literacy training. It’ll help them lower their footprint and raise the profile of climate action both in their sector and with their brilliant readers too."