Carbon Literacy Training

The Irish Museums Association is inviting for expressions of interest to participate in Carbon Literacy Training aimed at gaining an understanding of what climate change is, the scale of its effects, and how museums fit into the global, national and local picture to address climate change.

The course will be delivered over four modules on the 9 and 10 June, from 9:30 - 13:00.

This training is open to IMA members only and has limited capacity. Only two staff members per organisation can register for this training.  

Course Outline:

This Carbon Literacy course is delivered over four modules. Each module contains activities, case studies and time for discussion delivered over two online sessions. On completion, you become certified Carbon Literate by the Carbon Literacy Project after completing the entire course and making an individual commitment and an organisational commitment to climate action.

Pre-course learning

Independent learning: Climate Change: The Facts documentary, complete WWF Carbon Calculator and select an object for introductions. This section of the course takes 1 hour 15 minutes to complete, with links shared prior to the course.

Module 1

Introductions, climate change science and impacts of climate change on museums.

Module 2

Examines the impacts of climate change, equity and vulnerability, as well as the role of museums/conservation and collections care in tackling the climate crisis. 

Module 3 & 4

Focuses on carbon budgets, the local and international policy, carbon footprints, action planning and talking about climate change.

By the end of the course you will have:

• An understanding of the basic science of climate change and how climate change is affecting us globally and locally
• An understanding of how climate change is affecting museums
• Explored the impacts that museums can have on tackling climate change
• Created actions to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of your museum
• Explored strategies for influencing others to take action on climate change

Lorraine Finch - Trainer 

Lorraine is director of LFCP, which is accelerating the cultural heritage sector’s climate and environmental actions through research, knowledge sharing and resource creation.

Lorraine is a sustainability leader who advocates on the international stage for sustainability in cultural heritage participating in conferences, leading workshops and training, publishing books and articles and collaborating with leaders in the field in the USA and Europe. 

Lorraine is founder and Chair of the Institute of Conservation’s Sustainability Network. In recognition, she was presented with a David Middleton Sustainability Award. Lorraine is a Director of Climate Museum UK and an accredited conservator of archives, photographs, film and sound.

Course dates: 9 & 10 June, 09:30 - 13:00

Course Fee: €25 / £21 for IMA individual or Institutional members

Expression of Interest closing date: 01 May 2025

We will aim to notify of the allocation of places within five working days of the closing date of the expression of interest.