HIE awarded silver accreditation for progress in becoming carbon literate

HIE has been awarded silver accreditation for its progress in becoming a carbon literate organisation.

Accreditation is from the Carbon Literacy Project, which promotes increased understanding of the carbon costs and impacts of daily activities and how individuals, communities and organisations can reduce these.

The project has recognised HIE’s work to train colleagues in carbon literacy, including Board members and directors.

So far, almost 100 people in the organisation have been fully accredited, just over 20 are completing the training, and plans are in progressing to make sure all 270 employees are trained by April 2025.

Climate change and net zero are featured as corporate priorities and cross cutting themes in HIE’s five-year strategy.

Chief executive Stuart Black says they want all colleagues across the organisation to be motivated to address carbon challenges and confident in helping businesses and communities to do likewise.

“One of our key priorities is helping the region transform to a leading net zero economy,” he said. “An important part of this is changing how we operate as an organisation, and that’s where the carbon literacy training comes in.

“It gives us the confidence to make changes in how we do things, but also to help the many businesses and community groups we work with to navigate the challenges and benefit from the opportunities that a just transition presents.

“I’m delighted we’ve secured silver accreditation from the Carbon Literacy Project and look forward to continuing our programme of training to help all our colleagues become carbon literate.”

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, however, carbon literacy is only the first step.

“The actions taken and pledged by learners as part of their carbon literacy have an immediate impact within their organisation, however it is the maintenance of these and further actions, supported by carbon literate organisational culture, that reaps the greatest rewards for both participants and their organisations.

“By becoming a Silver accredited carbon literate organisation, Highlands and Islands Enterprise has demonstrated its commitment to genuine low carbon action, environmental and economic impact, and the building of a low carbon future for us all.”