Grosvenor Rural Estates has been awarded bronze certification by the Carbon Literacy Project, recognising the organisation’s dedication to climate action, reducing carbon emissions and creating a low-carbon culture through behavioural change.

Achieving the certification supports our Grosvenor-wide commitment to reducing our emissions in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, whilst adapting to a changing climate. 

The award was made after a substantial proportion of Grosvenor’s rural estates employees attended full day carbon literacy training sessions, including making their own personal pledges.

More workshops are ongoing and will continue into the new year to enable all employees to become carbon literate. Following initial training, sessions will be held annually for new employees as well as introductory courses for casual workers and season employees. 

Jo Holden, Head of Sustainability, Grosvenor Rural Estates, said: Addressing today’s needs while safeguarding those of future generations is central to Grosvenor’s purpose. Achieving Carbon Literacy Project bronze certification is a significant milestone in our long-term commitment to the responsible and sustainable stewardship of our UK rural estates. The award builds on the cultural shift that is already underway across the organisation, empowering our employees to take meaningful action, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions and growing our commitment to climate action from the ground up.

Carbon literacy was recognised at COP21 as a transformative local action to tackle climate change. A decade later and more than 13,000 organisations, including B-corporations, businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, like Patagonia, as well as institutions like the BBC, have been certified. 

There are four tiers of CLO certification, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, each representing increasing levels of achievement and tailored to the scale, reach and influence of the organisation on its sustainability journey. 

A Carbon Literate Organisation will typically see reduced energy and resource use, a stronger organisational profile, healthier and more engaged staff, a safer supply chain, lower variable costs, and reduced commercial risk.