News | Tuesday, 30th October 2012
MMU takes steps towards a “carbon literate” city
University part of a world-first initiative
MANCHESTER is set to become the world’s first “carbon literate” city following the launch of a grand scheme run by Cooler Projects in partnership with MMU and Manchester City Council.
The Manchester Carbon Literacy Project aims to offer everyone that works, lives or studies in the city a day’s free training to help them reduce their emissions on an individual, community and organisational basis.
MMU Vice Chancellor Professor John Brooks presented the first group of Manchester Carbon Literacy Project graduates with their green mortar boards at a ceremony held at the Arndale Centre.
Students from the MMU Business School were among those at the ceremony, along with staff from the Arndale and pupils from Stanley Grove Primary School.
Unique initiative
Professor Brooks said it was an “honour” to be part of the project.
“As we take wider and deeper action to consolidate our position as one of the UK's greenest Universities, Manchester Carbon Literacy is a unique initiative providing us with a way to bring staff, students and city together in learning and action, to operate more efficiently and sustainably as an enterprise, and to better equip our graduates to compete and succeed in the world of work,” said Professor Brooks.
He was joined at the ceremony by Andy Jones, Dean of the Faculty of Education, and Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council.
Sir Richard said: “There is a real prospect of Manchester being the world's first carbon literate city and for the city to be a far better place as a result.”
Some of those graduates will now go on to train others in carbon literacy until the project is complete.
Relevant to everyone
Dave Coleman, Director of Cooler Projects CIC, leading the project on behalf of the city said: “Manchester Carbon Literacy is about learning how climate change is important and absolutely relevant to every one of us in our daily lives, and learning that not from ‘experts’, but from ‘people like us’. As a result learners are in a position to make better choices, save money, enjoy life more, and be better equipped for home and work and leisure.”
Other partners include The Co-operative, University of Manchester, Manchester Arndale, EMERGE, Stanley Grove Primary (Longsight), Heald Place Primary School (Rusholme) and St Peter’s High School (Gorton), Hulme Community Garden Centre, Groundwork, and Manchester Adult Education Services.
