Journeying To Net Zero

In this article, David Wilkins, Net Zero Engagement and Support Officer at the British Antarctic Survey, offers a valuable example of how organisations outside the Isle of Man are using climate education to support their sustainability goals. While not linked to the Isle of Man Government’s Carbon Literacy Training programme, this case study shows how structured training can empower staff at all levels to take practical, informed action toward net zero.

BAS is one of Cambridge Cleantech's Associate Founder Members. Thank you to Cambridge Cleantech for the introduction.

Over 200 staff for British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have received a new qualification to help achieve our net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

British Antarctic Survey is certified as a Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation by The Carbon Literacy Project in recognition of efforts to develop and deliver low carbon actions. BAS has been training its staff in ‘Carbon Literacy’ since December 2022, making sure that each trainee understands the effects of climate change and has the tools to combat it.  

The Carbon Literacy Project is an initiative that individuals, organisations and universities can participate in, in recognition of the fact that climate change has no borders.

So far, the course has been delivered to staff based at Cambridge, and crew members on our Polar Research Ship the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Partner organisations working in the Cambridge building have also taken part, with at least four organisations making behavioural changes as a result of the same course.  As part of the training, participants create an action plan, identifying the changes they will make to reduce their own carbon footprint, both at work and in their personal lives.  Such changes have included raised awareness by the IT department on the high energy costs of AI tools and to make sure it becomes a conscious choice rather than something automatically used.

Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley, BAS Director of Innovation says:

“It is excellent to see the progress we are making in discussing carbon questions, and putting action plans together that will help us lower the carbon footprint at BAS and in our communities. Achieving Net Zero for our work is a great challenge and requires ingenuity and buy-in from all of us. I can wholeheartedly recommend the course. Let us keep inspiring each other to act with urgency and impact!”

Nopi Exizidou, BAS Head of Net Zero Transition says:

“Everyone at BAS has an important role to play, irrespective of their area of work and expertise when it comes to achieving Net Zero. Carbon Literacy is helping us understand what our individual role is and how big of an impact we can collectively have. It has been great to receive such positive feedback on the course and to see so many across BAS being certified Carbon Literate!”

2025 has been an exciting year, focussing both on training and on follow-up of actions to lower carbon emissions as a direct result of our project. We have also designed our own in-house bespoke course for our polar ship, and Antarctic research stations in recognition of the challenges in taking such a course in the field.  Find out more about how BAS is working towards net zero 2040 on our website.