Roots & Branches: Carbon Literacy & Climate Action Programme

Roots & Branches Programme 2026-27 – Museums taking action against climate change

Roots & Branches is an award-winning, environmentally-driven collaborative project between Museum Development England (MDE), The Carbon Literacy Project and Manchester Museum. From Autumn 2021 to March 2026 the programme saw over 2300 people trained using the Carbon Literacy for Museums Toolkit and participants were given additional opportunities to converse, experiment, and test new ideas for sustainable practice in museums.

Managed by Museum Development North (MD North), MDE are continuing the project for another year with a programme launching in June 2026 and continuing until March 2027. The Roots & Branches online programme includes:

The Programme will help to shape an environmentally aware and active sector, giving museums the tools to respond to ‘Let’s Create’, Art Council England’s 10-year strategy in which environmental responsibility is at the core.

Who is the Programme for?
Over the next year, MDE will continue the roll-out of Carbon Literacy training and support for environmental practice across museums in England. Priority for places across the Programme 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.

The Carbon Literacy for Museums Toolkit is also available to all museums who may wish to roll out Carbon Literacy training in their own organisations. For more information about Carbon Literacy and the Museums Toolkit, click the links on the right.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
The Roots & Branches Programme for 2026-27 is being managed by MD North on behalf of MDE.

Alison Criddle, Museum Development Adviser: Environmental Responsibility at Museum Development North is leading on the Programme: alison.criddle@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk

Information about your local Museum Development Provider can be found here:
Museum Development North
Museum Development Midlands
Museum Development London
Museum Development South East
Museum Development South West