Osprey Housing Sustainability Officer Jane McWhirr (left) and Corporate Services Officer Sofia Redford deliver the in-house carbon literacy training programme. The social landlord is currently a silver-level accredited Carbon Literate Organisation.
Osprey Housing has been successfully awarded silver accreditation with the Carbon Literacy Organisation as a demonstration of commitment to being a sustainable and socially responsible organisation.
Part of the accreditation process included the Osprey team and board members engaging in and completing training developed in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The key principles of the training are to gain a better understanding of what the climate emergency is, and the drive for reducing emissions and carbon footprint. This is to raise awareness both collectively and individually across the team to support Osprey in delivering both organisational sustainable ambitions and Scottish Government targets.
Going forward Osprey is accrediting an in-house training programme with the Carbon Literacy Project to allow further promotion of the benefits of being carbon literate and a truer understanding of the climate emergency. This is based on the premise that to cut carbon emissions to the extent demanded, organisations need to change their culture.
Osprey CEO Stacy Angus said: ‘We are committed to being a sustainable and environmentally aware organisation and it’s key that our team are equipped with the skills to meet future needs, and this includes being carbon literate.
‘Having this awareness impacts directly on how Osprey delivers its environmental sustainability ambitions and underpins our culture and vision of making a difference every day.’
The training delivers key knowledge around reducing, reusing, and recycling waste produced across the organisation, striving to promote and procure sustainable technologies, products, materials, and contractor services, and committing to prevent pollution.
Sustainability Officer Jane McWhirr said: ‘We began with a custom training course delivered last year by Keep Scotland Beautiful at which, as part of the training outcomes and completion commitments, we made individual and group pledges to reduce carbon.
‘Since then, we’ve created our own tailored training content and the majority of current staff and board members have taken part. It now forms part of our induction and ongoing training processes.’
Osprey currently owns and manages more than 1,800 properties across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray.
The in-house carbon literate training, which includes a test assignment is delivered by Ms McWhirr and Osprey Corporate Services Officer Sofia Redford.
‘Now everyone who joins the staff or board will be invited to complete the training,’ said Ms McWhirr, adding that currently Osprey is a silver-level Carbon Literate Organisation. This means more than 50% of the team have completed the training and passed the final assignment test.
‘Everyone needs to consider the environmental impact of their actions both at home and at work, and this training gives a good overview on climate change and how we can all help make a difference.’
