Carbon Reduction Training for the Heritage Sector
On this page you can find training courses for carbon literacy and carbon reduction. These are part of our 'Sector to Net Zero' programme, which aims to support the heritage sector towards achieving net zero. The focus is on micro, small and medium sized organisations (including those that are volunteer led) and freelance heritage professionals.
The Sector to Net Zero Programme
Phase 1 sector-wide consultation (2023-2024)
We carried out a sector-wide consultation to better understand where heritage organisations were on their journey to reduce their carbon emissions. The results of this consultation have now been published in the Sector to Net Zero consultation report.
Phase 2 developing Carbon Literacy Training (2024 - ongoing)
Phase 2 built on the findings of the report, Heritage Carbon Literacy Training has been developed in conjunction with The Carbon Literacy Project and Historic Buildings & Places, this training gives an awareness of the causes and impacts of climate change. It gives an excellent foundation for individuals, teams and organisations to begin taking steps towards reducing their carbon emissions and becoming more environmentally sustainable.
Phase 3 the next stage: Carbon Reduction Training (2025-ongoing)
Phase 3 takes heritage organisations to the next stage on their journey to net zero by offering a suite of heritage carbon reduction training.
Heritage Carbon Literacy Training
Carbon Literacy Training is essential for all organisations starting their journey to net zero. From a basic awareness of the causes and effects of climate change, to an understanding of carbon emissions, this course provides a vital foundation and empowers individuals and teams to take action.
The course is delivered online over two half day sessions and includes a small amount of pre and post learning. This, along with the submission two pledges gives learners the opportunity to become certified ‘carbon literate’.
For more information on dates, eligibility criteria, and to book on a course please visit our booking page
Book Carbon Literacy Training now
We occasionally offer Heritage Carbon Literacy training sessions for Local Authority heritage staff, please check the booking page for upcoming courses.
Use the Heritage Carbon Literacy course to train your organisation
Funding is restricted to one person per organisation. To find out how you can licence the course and train your team, please contact [email protected]
The course is part of several different culture sector courses now available from The Carbon Literacy Project. These include courses tailored to museums, libraries, archives, theatres and the heritage sector. You can find out more about the other culture courses by visiting the Carbon Literacy Project.
Free training for Historic England grant recipients
We are working with some grant recipients to offer the heritage carbon literacy training. More information can be found in the guidance for applicants.
Heritage Carbon Reduction Training
Developed through a collaboration between Historic England, and Historic Buildings and Places, this training programme follows on from Carbon Literacy and will support heritage organisations as they measure their carbon footprint and write a carbon reduction plan. It consists of:
- 'How to measure a carbon footprint' trainer-led workshop
- 'How to write a carbon reduction plan' trainer-led workshop
- 'Heritage carbon reduction e-learning' (Autumn/Winter 2025)
- Heritage carbon reduction deep dive webinars' (2026)
Trainer-led workshops
'How to measure a carbon footprint' and 'how to write a carbon reduction plan' are both 2- hour, trainer-led, discursive, online workshops.
These workshops can be attended as a complete course or individual workshops, depending on where your organisation is in its carbon reduction journey.
This training has not been designed for organisations who need to report their emissions to the government and is a starting point for organisations who want to work towards following the Green House Gas (GHG) Protocol principles.
How to measure a carbon footprint
Tis is designed to support organisations in identifying their emissions and measuring a simple carbon footprint. The session covers the following:
- Identifying your organisations (activities that create) emissions and organise them into scopes
- Calculate your organisations carbon footprint using information about emissions usage and online tools
- Know where to find resources, signposting, and support
By the end of the workshop, learners will have a clear plan of how to gather the information they need and calculate a simple carbon footprint.
For more information on dates, eligibility criteria, and to book on a course please visit our sign up page
How to write a carbon reduction plan
Designed to support organisations to build on their carbon footprint report to write a basic plan for carbon reduction, whilst also engaging with staff, volunteers and visitors. The session covers the following:
- Decide on your organisations carbon reduction priorities
- Plan your carbon reduction actions
- Embed within your organisation
By the end of the workshop learners will have started to identify their carbon reduction priorities, have a plan to write carbon reduction actions, and to embed the plan within their organisation’s governance.
(To gain the most benefit from this workshop it is advisable for attendees to have a basic carbon footprint report for their organisation.)
For more information on dates, eligibility criteria, and to book on a course please visit our sign up page.
Heritage Carbon Reduction Network – A dedicated online community
To accompany the training, webinars and other materials we have created an online community for those working or volunteering in heritage to continue the conversation.
The Heritage Carbon Reduction Network is hosted on Knowledge Hub and is free to join. Information linked to all our carbon literacy and carbon reduction training will be shared on the group, and members are encouraged to get involved in discussions.
To join the group you’ll need to sign up to Knowledge Hub (it’s free) and then join the group.
Webinars & deep dive events
Early in 2026 we will be launching a series of heritage carbon reduction related webinars and deep dive events.
The topics and dates will be announced later in 2025.
If you have any requests or ideas for topics related to carbon reduction in the heritage sector please contact us at [email protected]
Also of interest
