Carbon Literacy for Museums at London Transport Museum
Summary: Carbon Literacy Course for people that work and volunteer in museums
Course materials + self-guided activities: Distributed by email Friday 4 September 2026
In person training: Friday 11 September 2026, 10:00-17:00
Location: Cubic Theatre/Foyer, London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB
Optional action planning drop-in surgery session: Thursday 17 September 10:30-11:30, online
This training is for you if you are interested in:
- Engaging in sector-specific foundational learning about climate change and its impacts, and how museums fit into the global, national, local and sector picture to address the challenges we face
- Gaining the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop and take action to reduce carbon impacts and influence positive change in your museum practice
- Achieving Carbon Literacy certification
Hosted by London Transport Museum in partnership with Museum Development England, 15 free places are available to participate in on-site Carbon Literacy for Museums training. Places are available to people working in and with museums supported by Museum Development England.
Background Information
Museum Development England, in partnership with Manchester Museum and The Carbon Literacy Project, has developed the Carbon Literacy for Museum Toolkit, a free to access peer-to-peer learning programme. The training has been rolled out since Autumn 2021 as part of Roots & Branches, the award-winning, internationally programme, and the over 2,500 people have been trained in Carbon Literacy using the Museums Toolkit.
Who is the course aimed at?
This course is for volunteers and paid staff who work across all service areas from Accredited Museums or those working towards Accreditation in England, and freelancers working with museums. We advise that, where possible, two people from your organisation attend the course for peer support when developing actions.
Priority for places will be for Accredited Museums and those Working Towards Accreditation in England that are not DCMS sponsored National museums or ACE funded National Portfolio Organisations.
Who are the trainers?
The training is delivered by experienced trainers and sector specialists from London Transport Museum and Museum Development.
- Spencer Rust, Visitor Experience Training Manager, London Transport Museum
- MD Fahim Azraf Khan, Environmental Manager, London Transport Museum
- Ali Criddle, Museum Development Advisor: Environmental Responsibility, Museum Development North
- Yvette Shepherd (Museum Development Officer, Organisational Health), London Museum
Course Overview
This modular course comprises a combination of self-guided learning as well as facilitated, interactive in-person learning. To become certified as Carbon Literate, you must complete the entire course and submit your actions for accreditation. By booking on the Carbon Literacy course, you are committing to undertake 7.5 hours of training.
Module 1, self-guided:
Distributed by email Friday 4 September 2026, complete before Friday 11 September 2026.
Pre-recorded introduction to Carbon Literacy for Museum training, and self-guided learning on the basics of climate change science. Duration 1 hour 30 minutes.
We ask that you watch a pre-recorded introductory video and a documentary. This will give an overview of the Carbon Literacy course and the science and facts about climate change. In the Introduction, you will be asked some prompts to consider when watching the documentary. At the end of Module 1 you will be asked to choose an object that speaks to you about climate change in preparation for the live training and to calculate your own Carbon Footprint in readiness for the in-person training (it’s very easy to do – only takes 5 minutes).
Modules 2, 3 & 4, in-person training at London Transport Museum:
Module 2: Introduces impacts of climate change, equity and vulnerability as well as the roles of museums in tackling the climate crisis and green recovery. You will be asked to reflect on the questions posed in Module 1.
Module 3: Explores carbon budgets, the UK and International policy positions, and carbon footprints.
Module 4 Focuses on action planning and how we talk about climate change with others. At the end of Module 4, you will be asked to complete a Carbon Literacy Participant Action Form. This form provides a framework for you to plan the actions you will take in your personal life and at your museum to make positive change. You will be sent your Participant Action Form link and post-course resources after your in-person training and you will have 1 week to complete the form.
Optional action planning drop-in surgery: This optional online drop-in session takes place Thursday 17 September 10:30-11:30. It is your opportunity to meet again with your trainer(s) to develop your action forms ready for submission, and to keep the momentum going to progress and implement your learning and be supported in your work.
Please Note
By booking on a session, you agree for Museum Development England to share your booking information with your area Museum Development provider and the session hosts.
If there is anything we can do to help you get more out of the session, please contact hello@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk
In-person Training Venue Information
Comfort breaks will be taken throughout the day and there will opportunity to move around the museum.
Please bring your own lunch, and we recommend bringing a reusable cup and water bottle.
Access Information
Training Location: Cubic Theatre/Foyer, London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB
The Cubic Theatre/Foyer is located on the lower ground floor and is accessed by stairs or lift. More about the Cubic Theatre/Foyer space and virtual tour: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/venue-hire/cubic-theatre
Accessible toilets are available adjacent to the Cubic Theatre/Foyer and in the museum Café. All toilets are available on the ground floor
The nearest Changing Places toilets are at the Victoria Embankment and National Portrait Gallery.
The museum is accessible for wheelchair users with level access at the Ticket Desk and lifts to all floors. Visitors will be shown which lift is available on arrival. There are ramps in some areas. A wheelchair is available for visitor use at the Ticket Desk and staff will be available if you require any assistance.
London Transport Museum’s Accessibility webpage: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/visit/accessibility
The nearest step-free station is Tottenham Court Road which is a 10–15-minute walk from the Museum. London Transport Museum is located in the south east corner of Covent Garden Piazza. The Piazza is cobbled, with a level path only part of the way round.
London Transport Museum’s Getting Here webpage: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/visit/getting-here
If you have any questions or require any support in advance of your booking, please contact hello@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk and we will liaise with the venue.
Location
London Transport Museum
Covent Garden Piazza
London
WC2E 7BB
