Switch2 Energy becomes first Carbon Literate energy supplier

Switch2 Energy has today announced that it has been accredited as the first energy supplier to achieve Silver Carbon Literate Organisation status, highlighting the organisation’s dedication to tackling climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and its commitment to working towards a zero-carbon future.

Carbon Literacy is defined as, “An awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis,” and revolves around a day’s worth of learning and action on climate change.

Switch2 Energy first engaged with Carbon Literacy through its commitment to sustainable business practices. The company developed a bespoke Carbon Literacy training course for internal use, resulting in staff receiving the training and becoming formally certified as Carbon Literate.

A Carbon Literate Organisation is an organisation that has been accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project as being “culturally Carbon Literate”, maintaining a substantial proportion of its workforce as Carbon Literate and demonstrating its Carbon Literacy through its organisational behaviour.

CLO accreditation is a tiered system with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels, requiring increasing levels of commitment to action on climate change and creating a low-carbon culture.

To become accredited as a Silver Carbon Literate Organisation, Switch2 Energy trained 15% of staff from across 14 departments using bespoke Carbon Literacy training materials. Each trained individual pledged actions to reduce carbon across the organisation within the next two years.

Switch2 has committed to regularly monitoring progress on these pledges, as well as increasing the total number of carbon literacy-trained staff across the organisation and updating sustainability practices.

Becoming the first Silver Carbon Literate energy organisation is a significant milestone for Switch2, setting a benchmark for the wider industry and demonstrating a commitment to a low-carbon culture within the workplace and beyond.

This accreditation aligns with Switch2’s broader goals of environmental stewardship and reflects a dedication to leading by example in the energy sector. To this end, Switch2 has also recently employed a sustainability manager to drive the organisation’s commitment to low-carbon practices and its overarching environmental, social, and governance targets.

Richard Harrison, CEO of Switch2 Energy, said:

"Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Switch2 as we work towards a low carbon future. Becoming the first energy company to receive Silver Carbon Literacy status is a huge achievement, which recognises our team`s hard work and dedication.

“We believe that by empowering our staff with the knowledge and tools to reduce carbon emissions, we can make a meaningful impact on the environment as an organisation."

Dave Coleman, Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Carbon Literacy Project, said:

“Carbon Literacy is an essential skill, vital to every workplace, community, and place of study. It is the foundational knowledge, and a catalyst to empowering people to act on climate, however, Carbon Literacy is only the first step.

“By becoming a Silver accredited Carbon Literate Organisation, Switch2 Energy has demonstrated its commitment to genuine low carbon action, environmental and economic impact, and the building of a low carbon future for us all.”

Cathy Olphin, Sustainability Manager at Switch2 Energy, said:

“With heat networks playing such a key role in tackling climate change, we are continually pushing to further embed sustainability into our operations.

“Our Silver Carbon Literate Organisation accreditation demonstrates our commitment to sustainability, inside and out, helping to equip our workforce with the necessary tools to champion the nation’s low-carbon ambitions.”