THE CARBON LITERACY TRUST
The Carbon Literacy Project was created to deliver on an objective in Manchester's climate plan to offer everyone who lives, works or studies in the city a day's worth of learning about climate change. This unique and ambitious project is now expanding to underpin action to reduce emissions and accelerate growth in the low-carbon economy across the UK and beyond.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit for the year of £134,611, with unrestricted funds dropping to £9,383. However, the trustees note that cash balances were extremely positive at £629,708, supported by significant deferred income of £627,584 which they argue does not represent monies to be returned to customers. Per the trustees' report, reserves are considered to be in line with their policy target of holding three months' operating costs, despite the low reported unrestricted balance.
What the accounts disclose
“reserves were in line with our policy to hold the equivalent of 3 months' operating costs (ca. £300,000)” — page 6
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Alex Ganotis — Vice-Chair
Funders the charity credits
- Westford Mill
- Beechfield Brands
- BASF
- Auto Trader
- Patagonia
- Ecosurety
- Hattrick
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/09/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (18/06/2025)
Trustees
- JENNIFER ELIZABETH MARY WILSON-BROWNchair
- ALEXANDER GANOTIS
- Diane Margaret Johnson
- Malin Cunningham
- Simon John Foy
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/09/2025 | £1.3m | £1.5m |
| 30/09/2024 | £1.3m | £1.3m |
| 30/09/2023 | £960k | £730k |
| 30/09/2022 | £638k | £429k |
| 30/09/2021 | £184k | £115k |
Common questions
Is THE CARBON LITERACY TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit for the year of £134,611, with unrestricted funds dropping to £9,383. However, the trustees note that cash balances were extremely positive at £629,708, supported by significant deferred income of £627,584 which they argue does not represent monies to be returned to customers. Per the trustees' report, reserves are considered to be in line with their policy target of holding three months' operating costs, despite the low reported unrestricted balance. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Third Sector Accountancy Limited.
Who funds THE CARBON LITERACY TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE CARBON LITERACY TRUST as a grant recipient include THE COMPASS GROUP FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE COMPASS GROUP FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £30k | Support in providing education on climate action to SMEs in the food sector |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM ADLINGTON CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £102k |
| SOCIETY OF THE HOLY CHILD JESUS CIO | 2 | £80k |
| THE EDGAR E LAWLEY FOUNDATION | 2 | £4k |
| THE JULIA RAUSING TRUST | 1 | £4.2m |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.8m |
| THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1.6m |
| IRWIN MITCHELL CHARITIES FOUNDATION | 1 | £591k |
| THE FIDELITY UK FOUNDATION | 1 | £400k |
Charities like this
- CHICHESTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST
- CLIMATE ED
- THE CENTRE FOR LITERACY IN PRIMARY EDUCATION
- ECOBIRMINGHAM
- THE NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST
- THE ENGLISH AND MEDIA CENTRE
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CARBON LITERACY TRUST | £1.3m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CHICHESTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST | £2.8m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| CLIMATE ED | £154k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CENTRE FOR LITERACY IN PRIMARY EDUCATION | £1.0m | £60,000 - £69,999 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| ECOBIRMINGHAM | £529k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST | £14.3m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |