First Carbon Literacy Toolkit for the digital and tech industries launched

A new initiative has launched what is believed to be the first Digital & Technology Carbon Literary Toolkit to help the technology industry address its unique environmental challenges.

It comes at a time when the digital and technology sectors are under growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions.

Yesterday (January 23) Manchester-based online car sales website, Auto Trader, and Manchester Digital unveiled the scheme which recognises the importance of improving sustainability in the sector, and the need to address it collectively.

The Toolkit has been designed in close collaboration with a number of other leading UK technology businesses, including Mony Group, Nexer Digital, Littlefish and GlobalLogic UK&I. 

In 2022 alone the technology industry accounted for 62 billion kg of e-waste globally – the equivalent of 1,110 laptops thrown into landfill every second.

The toolkit is available to anyone in the industry, and free for internal use, helping to support both individuals and businesses in their journey towards reducing their carbon footprint.

It was launched at Auto Trader’s head office in Manchester during a ‘sustainability in tech’ event, which, as well as panel sessions with leading sustainability experts and thought leaders, included an inspirational talk from Alex Beasley, Regional Manager, Northern Europe at Patagonia, around the company’s extensive action to reduce its environmental impact.

Its introduction follows the huge success of a bespoke automotive toolkit, which was funded and developed in partnership between Auto Trader and The Carbon Literacy Project.

Since its launch in 2021, more than 5,000 people from 260 businesses spanning the whole of the automotive industry have become Carbon Literate, helping to save in excess of 18,000 tonnes in carbon emissions.

Nathan Coe, Chief Operating Officer at Auto Trader, said: “As well as reaching our own ambitious targets of becoming net zero by 2040, we’re equally committed to supporting the wider technology community in meeting its sustainability objectives.

“Having seen the significant benefits within our business, and the automotive industry before it, we wanted to extend Carbon Literacy training to the technology sector where we believe it has the potential to make a very meaningful and lasting contribution to reducing its carbon footprint.”

He added: “We’re very grateful to our partners for their time in creating the toolkit – this huge collaborative effort is testament to a shared determination to address the industry’s sustainability challenges, and our collective responsibility in reducing it.”

Katie Gallagher, Managing Director at Manchester Digital, said: “This national toolkit is a vital step for the tech industry at a time when climate action is critical.

“We’re especially proud that it’s been developed here in Manchester – a reflection of the forward thinking businesses and partnerships driving innovation in our region.”

Dave Coleman, Managing Director of The Carbon Literacy Project, said: “The launch of a new Carbon Literacy Toolkit for the Digital and Tech Sector is a really significant initiative from the tech industry.

“With the accelerating implementation of AI and cloud computing, the tech sector is quickly becoming aware of its need both to understand its own rapidly growing carbon footprint, but also the greater opportunity to use tech as a climate solution, and adapt its products and solutions to help others reduce their carbon emissions and grow and support the low carbon economy.”

The Toolkit is designed to support accredited in-house Carbon Literacy training, which is typically delivered during a one-day seminar and can be conducted virtually, or face-to-face.

It contains all of the tools and materials an organisation requires to educate and accredit its employees in Carbon Literacy, including tailored training content, a trainer guide, detailed resources, and dedicated support from a member of the Carbon Literacy Project team which makes it accessible to anybody with good facilitation skills, not just experienced training professionals.

Carbon Literacy can help a tech organisation put the brakes on carbon and kick-start their sustainability journey.