Carbon Literacy Training Day for The Education Training Foundation

London, UK - September 17, 2025 

Climate Action for Associations (CAFA) had the pleasure of providing carbon literacy training to the employees at the Education Training Foundation (ETF) today.

How Bespoke Carbon Literacy is Empowering Associations to Lead

At Climate Action for Associations, we talk a lot about the unique power of associations to drive sector-wide change. But what does that change look like in practice? How do we move from strategy to tangible action?

Recently, we had the privilege of working with the Education Training Foundation (ETF) to answer these questions head-on. We delivered a bespoke Carbon Literacy Training programme tailored specifically to their mission, their operations, and their unparalleled influence over the Further Education (FE) and skills sector.

The results weren't just impressive; they were a powerful blueprint for what every association, institute, and trade body can achieve.

Why Carbon Literacy, and Why Now?

Carbon Literacy isn’t about becoming carbon scientists or experts, it’s about understanding the global and local context, and how our everyday activities contribute to the problem highlighting the opportunities to invoke change. Crucially, it’s about having the agency to make informed decisions to reduce our collective impact. For businesses, it’s a smart operational move. For associations, it’s a strategic imperative.

Your members are facing increasing pressure from their own stakeholders; customers, employees, investors, and regulators to operate sustainably. They are looking for guidance, for standards, and for leadership.

A carbon-literate association is empowered to:

•    Embed sustainability into its own operations, leading by example.

•    Develop standards and competencies for its profession or sector.

•    Equip members with the knowledge and tools they need to decarbonise.

•    Become the authoritative voice on sustainability within its field.

We didn’t give ETF a generic off-the-shelf course. Together, we co-created a learning journey that resonated with their specific context.

The training session was:

• Sector-Specific (relevant)

• Global context (why)

• Local Actions (planning)

• Demonstration of existing practices (celebration)

The training day was designed not only to upskill but also to unite. It served as a powerful forum to enhance a sense of collective purpose and belonging among the ETF team. By creating a shared understanding of the climate challenge, we fostered a collaborative environment where every participant felt they had a stake in the solution.

This sense of shared ownership was directly channelled into action. A core component of the day was workshopping the very foundations of ETF’s new environmental policy. We moved from theory to practice, facilitating sessions where employees collaboratively shaped the policy's future. Together, we explored:

• Principles and values: Workshopping the ethos of an environmental policy, what values should be woven into the fabric of the policy.

• What the policy should cover: Identifying the key areas where ETF can make the most significant impact.

• Priority areas from an employee perspective: Ensuring the policy is grounded in the practical realities and insights of the team.

• Mechanisms for accountability: Establishing clear and collaborative ways to track progress and maintain momentum.

  
  

The feedback was resounding. Participants didn’t feel overwhelmed; they felt energised and empowered. They moved from seeing climate action as a separate, daunting issue to understanding it as a core thread woven into the very fabric of their strategic goals.

The lesson from ETF is clear: your influence is your greatest asset. Your members don't need another webinar on carbon accounting; they need their trusted association to make it make sense for them.

By investing in bespoke Carbon Literacy training for your team and leadership, you unlock the ability to:

• Build Credibility: Speak on sustainability with confidence and authority.

• Lead your industry: Walk the talk, demonstrate best practice.

• Enhance Member Value: Provide guidance, resources and tools to help future-proof your members' businesses and careers.

• Mitigate Risk: Future-proof your own organisation against evolving regulatory and environmental pressures.

• Fulfil Your Mission: For most institutes, a commitment to professionalism, excellence, and public benefit is inherent. There is no greater responsibility today than influencing our professions/your industry towards a sustainable future.

The transition to a low-carbon economy is the defining shift of our time. It presents not just a challenge, but the single greatest opportunity for associations to demonstrate indispensable value and leadership.

 “Thank you very much for an excellent Carbon Literacy session today.

The session was very well received and ETF Colleagues found it hugely beneficial”

Michael Lowe, Associate Director of People and Workplace at ETF

About CAFA

Climate Action for Associations (CAFA) is the only dedicated network and resource hub focused on sustainability and net zero for the membership sector. CAFA equips professional bodies and trade associations with the guidance, tools, and peer-to-peer connections they need to take meaningful climate action and support their members in doing the same.

If you're a membership organisation wishing to know more about what you can do to support your members with sustainability and addressing climate risks, join Climate Action for Associations here.

Would you be interested in CAFA running a training day at your association?

Contact: rosie@cafacollective.org