1. The Big Picture: What are the most important changes we need to make to reach zero carbon?

This is your opportunity to zoom out and demonstrate your understanding of the systemic changes needed to tackle the climate crisis. A great way to structure this response is to split it into three levels:

Individuals

Reflect on the lifestyle themes that emerge from your personal carbon footprint using a tool like www.footprintcalculator.org. What are the biggest contributors to individuals’ footprints e.g. diet, travel and consumption.

Think about what meaningful changes individuals can make, such as:

• Switching to a plant-based diet
• Reducing flying
• Using active or public transport
• Choosing to buy less and buy better

Don’t forget how powerful advocacy can be: using your vote to support political parties and policies that prioritise the climate is one of the most powerful actions you can take as an individual.

Organisations

Think about the sectors that have the biggest carbon footprints. For example:

• Housebuilders should prioritise energy efficiency and sustainable materials.
• Education providers have a responsibility to embed climate change into the curriculum and reduce their operational emissions.
• Businesses across all sectors should adopt net zero targets, divest from fossil fuels, and embed sustainability into decision-making.

Government and World Leaders

No pathway to net zero is complete without bold government intervention. Key points could include:

• Ending fossil fuel subsidies and rapidly phasing out oil, gas, and coal
• Investing in renewable energy and sustainable transport
• Enforcing climate policies that support a just transition

The key here is to show both an understanding of the scale of the challenge and the variety of people/ organisation and levels involved.

2. Your Individual Action: What will you commit to personally? 

This part is both a test of what you’ve learned and a personal pledge.

How to Choose Your Action

• Go for impact: We’re past the point of low-impact changes. Aim for medium- to high-impact actions (think in the 100s or 1000s of kg CO2e).
• Be realistic: Choose something you will actually do. This isn’t a crash diet – it’s a long-term lifestyle change.
• Make it specific: For example, “switching from driving to cycling for all commutes under 5 miles” is stronger than “drive less.”

Filling Out the Form

When it asks:

• “How?”  Explain exactly how your action reduces emissions. For example:
  “Reducing my meat intake from twice a day to weekends only will significantly cut methane emissions associated with livestock.”
• “Why is this change significant?” Be personal. Describe your habits before and how this change marks a real shift:
  “My diet previously consisted of meat every day, so cutting back is a big change for me and will have a major impact on my carbon footprint.”

Be honest and clear. The Carbon Literacy team only sees this form so they don’t know the context unless you explain it!

3. Your Group Action: What will you do with others?

This section is similar to the individual action but focuses on collaboration. It’s about how you’ll bring others with you.

Tips for Answering

• Be Specific About Your Role: Don’t just say what the group will do – outline your part in making it happen. For example:
  “I will organise monthly climate-focused staff briefings and create a resource pack for our team.”
• Think Beyond the Obvious: If you can’t work with others directly, think about how you can involve people in another way. Can you run a campaign, lead a workshop, or coordinate a local initiative?
• Again, Explain the “How” and the “Why”: Make the connection between the action and its carbon impact. Share why you care and what makes this meaningful for you and your community.

Final tips before you submit…

• Double check: Are your actions new? Are they linked to your training context (e.g. workplace or education)?
• Make sure everything is in your own words – even if you worked with others.
• Be clear and thorough – explain, explain, explain. The certification team can only assess what’s on the page.

Carbon Literacy isn’t just about learning- it’s about doing. Your paperwork is where you put your commitment on record. Take your time, reflect honestly, and use these tips to make your submission shine. Let’s build a future where action speaks as loudly as words.