Carbon Literacy for Museums – Great North Museum: Hancock
Museum Development England & North East Museums
Summary: Carbon Literacy Course for people that work and volunteer in museums
Course materials + self-guided activities: Distributed by email Monday 02 November 2026
In person training: Monday 09 November 2026, 10:00-16:30
Location: Clore Learning Suite, Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT
Optional action planning drop-in surgery session: Thursday 12 November, 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 North East Museums in partnership with Museum Development England, 26 free places are available to participate in on-site Carbon Literacy for Museums training. Train alongside members of the NEM team and explore first-hand how they are bringing climate awareness and action to life at Great North Museum: Hancock and across the North East Museums sites. Places are available to people working in and with museums supported by Museum Development England. This training is part of annual international Carbon Literacy Action Day.
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 Carbon Literacy Trainers and sector specialists from Museum Development North and North East Museums.
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 Monday 02 November 2026, complete before Monday 09 November 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 Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne, Monday 09 November 2026:
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 12 November 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 North to share your booking information with your area Museum Development England provider and the session host venue and trainers.
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
Refreshments will be provided including a vegetarian and vegan lunch. Please notify us of any allergy information on your booking form. We recommend bringing a reusable cup and water bottle with you.
Comfort breaks will be taken throughout the day and there will opportunity to move around and explore the museum including a lunchtime tour.
Access Information
Training Location: Clore Learning Suite, Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT
The Clore Suite is situated on the ground floor at the rear of the museum, reached via a step-free walking route from the Reception Desk. A lift to all floors is situated next to the Clore Suite. An accessible toilet with a shower with a seat and an adult changing table is available adjacent to the Clore Suite.
Great North Museum: Hancock Access Information webpage: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum/visit-us/access-information
The approach to the main front entrance from Claremont Road is tarmac, paving and resin bonded gravel on paths. Currently, you can access the front entrance doorways in three ways:
The accessible ramp on the left side of the building, which has two accessible routes: one from Claremont Road and one at the front left corner of the museum. These routes provide level access to the front entrance with power assisted doors. Here you will also find the Reception Desk and shop area.
A stepped route up the front stairs to the power assisted doors.
The external platform lift on the right side of the building. This lift provides level access through power assisted doors to the entrance of the museum.
The Reception Desk for the museum can be found at the main (front) entrance.
You’ll find accessible toilets on the ground, first and second floors of the museum. The nearest Changing Places toilet is in Newcastle University’s Daysh Building on the ground floor. It is accessible by radar key and can be accessed out of hours by contacting the University Security Service on (0191) 208 6817.
Please contact the museum Welcome Desk if you do not have a radar key.
Getting Here
Great North Museum: Hancock Getting Here webpage: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum/visit-us/getting-here
Mainline rail connections to Newcastle upon Tyne arrive at Newcastle Central Station.
It is a 15-20-minute walk from Newcastle Central to the museum, alternatively it is two stops on the Tyne & Wear Metro to Haymarket Metro Station and a 5-minute walk from there to the museum.
There are four accessible parking bays for Blue Badge holders outside the front right of the museum. Drop-off is possible at the front entrance plaza at the bottom of the main external stairs, or at the lay-by on Claremont Road.
There is no public parking on site at the museum. The nearest public car parking is approximately 300m away on Claremont Road. Go past the museum towards Exhibition Park (north), over the roundabout and you’ll find parking on the right. There are also numerous parking spaces in the city centre car parks.
Cycle racks for around 10 bikes are available outside the front of the museum.
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.