Autotrader and Manchester Digital have launched the first ever Digital and Technology Carbon Literacy Toolkit.
It’s been created in partnership with The Carbon Literacy Project, as the digital and tech sectors come under growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions.
“As well as reaching our own ambitious targets of becoming net zero by 2040, we’re equally committed to supporting the wider technology community in meeting its sustainability objectives,” said Nathan Coe, Chief Operating Officer at Auto Trader.
“Having seen the significant benefits within our business, and the automotive industry before it, we wanted to extend Carbon Literacy training to the technology sector where we believe it has the potential to make a very meaningful and lasting contribution to reducing its carbon footprint.
“We’re very grateful to our partners for their time in creating the toolkit; this huge collaborative effort is testament to a shared determination to address the industry’s sustainability challenges, and our collective responsibility in reducing it.”
The toolkit has been designed in collaboration with a number of leading UK tech firms, including Mony Group; Nexer Digital; Littlefish and GlobalLogic UK&I.
“The launch of a new Carbon Literacy Toolkit for the Digital and Tech Sector is a really significant initiative from the tech industry,” explained Dave Coleman, Managing Director of The Carbon Literacy Project.
“With the accelerating implementation of AI and cloud computing, the tech sector is quickly becoming aware of its need both to understand its own rapidly growing carbon footprint, but also the greater opportunity to use tech as a climate solution, and adapt its products and solutions to help others reduce their carbon emissions and grow and support the low carbon economy.”
It seeks to address the unique environmental challenges facing the technology industry, which in 2022 alone accounted for 62 billion kg of e-waste globally, the equivalent of 1,110 laptops thrown into landfill every second.
“This national toolkit is a vital step for the tech industry at a time when climate action is critical,” said Katie Gallagher OBE, Managing Director at Manchester Digital.
“We’re especially proud that it’s been developed here in Manchester—a reflection of the forward-thinking businesses and partnerships driving innovation in our region. We encourage tech companies to make Carbon Literacy a priority in 2025 and put their teams forward to become certified. Huge thanks to Auto Trader and all our partners for their hard work in bringing this toolkit to life.”
