Hertfordshire County Council has been recognised for its commitment to tackling climate change after being awarded Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) status by the Carbon Literacy Project.

The award highlights the council's growing role as a leader in sustainability, ensuring staff at every level understand the impact of climate change and how to make positive, practical changes in their everyday work.

To achieve bronze status, the council:

• Delivered certified Carbon Literacy training to more than 200 staff, equipping them with the tools to cut emissions in their daily work.
• Encouraged a low-carbon culture across the organisation, with staff pledging meaningful actions.
• Demonstrated evidence of impact through pledges, sustainability initiatives and communication campaigns.
• Registered its training programme with the Carbon Literacy Project, paving the way for wider rollout across the council.

The recognition builds on last year's Carbon Literacy Action Day in November 2024, which accelerated training and awareness across the organisation.

Cllr Adrian England, Executive Member for Sustainability at Hertfordshire County Council, said:

"We are proud to be recognised as a Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation. This award reflects the dedication of our staff and our shared ambition to build a greener, more sustainable Hertfordshire. Carbon Literacy training is helping us to empower colleagues with the knowledge and confidence to make a difference, and together we are creating a culture of climate responsibility that will support our communities for generations to come."

He added that the training also helps the council "bring new purpose to every workstream and get more lifetime value from the materials we use, which is so important for efficiency."

Locally, the award ties in with a growing number of green initiatives in Hitchin and North Herts. North Herts Council has recently stepped up work on its sustainability strategy, while community groups such as Hitchin Forum's Clean Up team and projects like the Triangle Garden continue to champion low-carbon living at a neighbourhood level.

With Hertfordshire County Council aiming for silver status and beyond, campaigners say the benefits could reach every corner of the county — from greener public transport links at Lister Hospital's new bus hub, to schools and businesses in Hitchin adopting more climate-conscious practices