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Scottish Government Supports CL Classrooms

August 2019 by William Gibb

We are delighted that the Scottish Government has announced they are investing a further £300,000 to expand the Climate Ready Classrooms initiative. This scheme, delivered by Keep Scotland Beautiful and accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project, provides a one-day Carbon Literacy training course tailored specifically towards young people (as well as their teachers, headteachers, CLD practitioners and youth and children’s workers), enabling them to develop their knowledge of climate change, its causes and effects, and live more sustainably both at home, at school and within their local area. Thanks in part to this funding, it’s hoped that the programme will be rolled out to over 5,000 young people in Scotland, approximately half of all 14 and 17 year-olds within Scottish secondary schools, across the next two years

Since the inception of the scheme in 2018, over 200 learners and 18 educational professionals throughout Scotland have so far been certified as Carbon Literate. The scheme has undoubtedly inspired the next generation to take steps to tackle climate change, with all involved reporting that the initiative furthered their knowledge surrounding climate change and how to respond in light of the crisis.

‘This brilliant experience has inspired me to change/alter my action to lower my carbon footprint and to spread awareness among my peers to hopefully inspire them to take action just like me. I highly recommend anyone who is given the opportunity to take part in Climate Ready Classrooms to do so, so you can be inspired just like I have.’ – Brandon Lei (S6), Lornshill Academy, Clackmannanshire

Engaging with the Climate Ready Classrooms Initiative supports schools to lower their carbon footprint, which can save both money and resources. The Project also instils a school-wide climate action framework, generating practical hands-on learning experiences to young people and facilitating the development of STEM and workforce employability skills. Participating schools receive an accredited certificate of Carbon Literacy, which can be used to support applications for an Eco-Schools Scotland Green Flag.

You can register your interest to take part in the Climate Ready Classrooms initiative with Keep Scotland Beautiful now! To do so, fill out the form here.

Keep Scotland Beautiful offer Scotland’s first accredited Carbon Literacy course, through which over 600 individuals have become certified as Carbon Literate (so far). They also provide excellent resources to support organisations aspiring to become Carbon Literate. To find out more about the work they’re doing on Carbon Literacy take a look at their website and this blog.

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