Carbon Literacy Training is about deepening an understanding of the science of climate change and the impacts on the brewing industry, recognising what needs to be done and how to do it. In this article Chris Terry, the founder of 86-Carbon, explains how brewers can play their part.

Carbon Literacy is a movement to empower citizens to understand the causes and impacts of climate change and the power they have to take meaningful action to change the course of climate change.

In 2024, the planet breached 1.5oC of warming above pre-industrial levels, a target put in place by nations in 2015 and now left in the dust.

We are seeing widespread impacts of this across the planet, from wildfires in California made worse by warmer air and an abundance of kindling to rising sea levels making the 100 years flood a more regular occurrence.
The climate change ocean liner has well and truly set sail, but there are still those on the dock arguing about its very existence.

It’s common to feel very small and powerless in the face of the climate emergency: how does one individual make a difference, and how do we mobilise a whole sector?

And for leaders, how do we bring the whole team along on the journey to add sustainability to the brewery’s list of priorities. What’s that old analogy about trying to single handedly change the course of a cruise ship?

Carbon Literacy Training is about deepening an understanding of the science of climate change and the impacts on the brewing industry, recognising what needs to be done and how to do it.

In the workshops I run, I see learners come together and tackle problems head on, signpost one another to resources near and far and find positivity and optimism in the face of the climate crisis. 

Brewing in the 21st century is about incorporating ingredients and materials from every corner of the globe, producing beer on a colossal scale with greater efficiency, less wastage and more automation than those that came before, but this growth and scaling has required a reliance on fossil fuels, every step of the way.

It’s common to feel very small and powerless in the face of the climate emergency: how does one individual make a difference, and how do we mobilise a whole sector? Chris Terry

Human activity since the industrial revolution has released an unprecedented quantity of greenhouse gasses that are choking our atmosphere and causing global temperatures to rise. 

Our wonderful ingredients are now being threatened by extreme and unpredictable weather conditions, energy and fuel costs fluctuate with significant knock on effects to the whole supply chain and our staff, customers and stakeholders are asking for action.

A zero carbon society will arrive – either by careful management of our resources or by necessity when the wells run dry. A low carbon future is not just solar panels and electric vehicles, it’s also about adapting to a changed climate with new risks: Can we say with certainty what brewing will look like in 10, 20, 100 years’ time? 

With careful balance of the risks, there are opportunities to be gained in taking action on sustainability.
Carbon Literacy Training draws down global trends to the individual and provides a manageable starting point for addressing a complex situation.

It also inspires group action and collaboration across teams. By the end of the course, individuals are part of a 100,000 strong network of ‘Carbon Literate Citizens’ taking on climate change together.

During the workshop, we take a wide angle lens to the international picture and highlight the importance of just transitions and climate justice before zooming into the individual level and helping every learner identify a significant action they are able to take forward and encourage others to follow.

Workshops take place online or in person, and incorporate science, discussion and hands-on group activities.
An online module rounds out a full day of learning and in order to become certified, learners pledge an individual and group commitment to an action that will reduce their carbon footprint. Learners go on to reduce their footprint by as much as 15%, with many pledging to go even further.

86-Carbon offers open workshops with learners from multiple breweries. We also deliver a course that will be specific to your brewery. We have supported breweries to develop their own course with materials and content they have helped devise. For more information, please visit 86-Carbon website.