The Carbon Literacy Trust
Analysis
The Carbon Literacy Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Manchester. It was registered in April 2014, 12 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The Carbon Literacy Trust reported income of £1.3m and spending of £1.5m, spending 110% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £184k to £1.3m (+619%), an average of +64% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 247%. Over the whole period it spent 92% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Carbon Literacy Trust sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 95% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust (£1.3m), Ninmah Trust (£1.3m) and The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (£1.3m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 78%, donations and legacies 12% and trading 9.3%. Charitable activities took 96% of spending and raising funds 4.1%. Reserves of £9,383 would cover about 0 months of spending at that rate. It employed 2 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 12%
- Charitable activities 78%
- Trading 9.3%
- Investments 0.9%
In the charity's own words
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.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust | Buckinghamshire | £1.3m |
| Ninmah Trust | London | £1.3m |
| The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering | Essex | £1.3m |
| Gwent Wildlife Trust Ltd | Gwent | £1.3m |