Carbon Literacy in the Archive Sector

In Autumn 2024 I completed the Carbon Literacy training run by The Heritage Alliance to become Carbon Literate. The primary reason for this was to reinforce my own understanding of the issues and to identify changes that I could make. In reflecting on the course I quickly concluded that I needed to think about what I can do to reduce my own carbon footprint and extend this perspective into my working life. I reflected that I wasn’t active on X (formerly Twitter) and that it was not an integral part of my working pattern and I was increasingly uncomfortable with some of the things that were happening (or not happening). Having a presence but not utilising it seemed contradictory, so I decided to step away, and so deleted my account. I did consider alternative platforms like Bluesky, but instead opted to place more regular updates on my LinkedIn page.

I am aware that both digital preservation and carbon literacy are really important issues but often fail to be fully persuasive on their own merits. I was keen to better articulate strategies and approaches to support clients being both carbon literate and active in digital preservation. I then undertook further training in the form of the Training Professionals course run by the Speak Carbon Collective which broadened my awareness and perspectives of issues in presenting and engaging people about carbon literacy.

I am now a Carbon Literacy Facilitator and looking to offer training of the Archive Sector shareable course developed by Lorraine Finch for The National Archives to help others become carbon literate. I am actively looking to hear from services who are piloting work or activities to reduce their carbon footprint. I have also completed the ISEP Carbon Accounting two day course (I attended sessions run by Northumbria University) which increased my awareness and familiarity with Scope 1,2 and 3 and key steps to developing a carbon reduction plan. If you want assistance with this – don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sector specific sources, resources and case studies

I am conscious that as a freelance archivist I don’t currently have my own collection/service, but many other colleagues have been actively doing something. I have sought to highlight a number of resources, but I am always keen to expand this – so do contact me page to highlight other resources and case studies that should be featured here.