Carbon Literacy Training

AuthorityDepartment of Environment, Food and Agriculture
Date received2025-08-19
OutcomeSome information sent but part exempt
Outcome date2025-09-16
Case ID4884981

Summary

A request was made regarding the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's contract with Earthscope for carbon literacy training, including questions about costs, tendering, and personal relationships of the company founders. The authority confirmed the contract details and costs but withheld information regarding the personal relationship between Sarah Mercer and Rob Mercer MLC as they do not hold that data.

Key Facts

  • Earthscope was appointed in 2023 to support the government's Climate Change Plan.
  • Carbon literacy training launched in January 2024 with 408 staff completing the course.
  • The total cost incurred so far is £29,408.25.
  • The Department does not hold information on whether Sarah Mercer is the wife of Rob Mercer MLC.
  • The response indicates that some information is accessible by other means under Section 20.

Data Disclosed

  • £1,465
  • 2023
  • January 2024
  • 408
  • 5%
  • £29,408.25
  • 17th March 2025
  • 19 August 2025
  • 16 September 2025

Exemptions Cited

  • Section 20 (information accessible to applicant by other means)
  • Information not held by the public authority

Original Request

It was reported in a news item on IOM online on the 17th March 2025 that - "A Manx government department is paying £1,465 a month for staff across the public sector to be given carbon literacy training. Island-based Earthscope was appointed by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture in 2023 to support the government's Climate Change Plan and specifically the commitment to 'equip government staff with the knowledge needed to deliver effective climate action'. Since the launch of carbon literacy training in January 2024, 408 staff have completed the one-day course with Earthscope'around 5% of the total workforce. In total it has cost £29,408.25 so far. Sarah Mercer, who co-founded the social enterprise with Matthew Warren in 2023, said: 'The response has been really positive.". The information that I require is - 1. Is it true that Sarah Mercer is the wife of Rob Mercer, MLC?; and 2. How did "Earthscope" obtain the "£1465 a month contract? and 3. How was "Earthscope" aware that staff across the public sector were in need of carbon literacy training?; and 4. What expertise did "Earthscope" have in carbon literacy and carbon literacy training, before being awarded the contract?; and 5. How did "Earthscope" obtain such expertise?; and 6. Was the £1465 a month contract put out to tender? and 7. Who agreed to pay "Earthscope" £1465 a month?;and 8. On what basis was such fee agreed?; and 9. What does the Department receive from "Earthscope" in return for its monthly fee?; and 10. How many public sector staff will be attending the carbon literacy training?; and 11. What is the projected total cost of the contract to provide staff across the public sector with carbon literacy training?; and 12. What is the estimated cost of days "lost" to Departments whilst their staff are on away days attending carbon literacy training; and 13. a copy of the contract with "Earthscope".

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 4884981 16 September 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 19 August 2025, which states:

"It was reported in a news item on IOM online on the 17th March 2025 that a Manx government department is paying £1,465 a month for staff across the public sector to be given carbon literacy training.

Island-based Earthscope was appointed by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture in 2023 to support the government's Climate Change Plan and specifically the commitment to 'equip government staff with the knowledge needed to deliver effective climate action'.

Since the launch of carbon literacy training in January 2024, 408 staff have completed the one-day course with Earthscope'around 5% of the total workforce. In total it has cost £29,408.25 so far.

Sarah Mercer, who co-founded the social enterprise with Matthew Warren in 2023, said: 'The response has been really positive’.

The information that I require is -

  1. Is it true that Sarah Mercer is the wife of Rob Mercer, MLC?; and

  2. How did "Earthscope" obtain the "£1465 a month contract? and

  3. How was "Earthscope" aware that staff across the public sector were in need of carbon literacy training?; and

  4. What expertise did "Earthscope" have in carbon literacy and carbon literacy training, before being awarded the contract?; and

  5. How did "Earthscope" obtain such expertise?; and

  6. Was the £1465 a month contract put out to tender? and

  7. Who agreed to pay "Earthscope" £1465 a month?;and

  8. On what basis was such fee agreed?; and

  9. What does the Department receive from "Earthscope" in return for its monthly fee?; and

  10. How many public sector staff will be attending the carbon literacy training?; and

  11. What is the projected total cost of the contract to provide staff across the public sector with carbon literacy training?; and

  12. What is the estimated cost of days "lost" to Departments whilst their staff are on away days attending carbon literacy training; and

  13. a copy of the contract with "Earthscope"."

Please see below our response to your request.

  1. Is it true that Sarah Mercer is the wife of Rob Mercer, MLC?

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. This is because the individuals named in in your request are not designated officers of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

To offer advice and assistance, you may wish to contact the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald.

  1. How did "Earthscope" obtain the "£1465 a month contract?

  2. How was "Earthscope" aware that staff across the public sector were in need of carbon literacy training?

  3. What expertise did "Earthscope" have in carbon literacy and carbon literacy training, before being awarded the contract?

  4. How did "Earthscope" obtain such expertise?

  5. Was the £1465 a month contract put out to tender?

  6. Who agreed to pay "Earthscope" £1465 a month?

  7. On what basis was such fee agreed?

  8. What does the Department receive from "Earthscope" in return for its monthly fee?

Section 20, information accessible to applicant by other means.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information that you have requested is available by accessing the Isle of Man Government Freedom of Information Disclosure Log here: https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/search

The information you have requested in question 2 and 6 can be found by searching for Case ID 3623489.

The information you have requested in questions 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 can be found by searching for Case ID 4082318 and Case ID 4632837.

The information you have requested in question 9 can be found in Appendix B by searching for Case ID 4741801.

  1. How many public sector staff will be attending the carbon literacy training?

Section 20, information accessible to applicant by other means.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. Some of the information that you have requested is available by accessing the Isle of Man Government Freedom of Information Disclosure Log, specifically Case ID 3623489: https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/search

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. This is because you have asked a future based question.

To offer advice and assistance, training for public sector officers is arranged and booked on demand.

  1. What is the projected total cost of the contract to provide staff across the public sector with carbon literacy training?

Section 20, information accessible to applicant by other means.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. Some of the information that you have requested is available by accessing the Isle of Man Government Freedom of Information Disclosure Log, specifically Case ID 4082318 and Case ID 4632837: https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/search

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. This is because the current contract with Earthscope expires in September 2025; therefore the projected total cost of the

contracts to provide staff across the public sector with carbon literacy training is currently unknown.

  1. What is the estimated cost of days "lost" to Departments whilst their staff are on away days attending carbon literacy training; and

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. This is because the Department do not record this information.

  1. a copy of the contract with "Earthscope”.

Section 20, information accessible to applicant by other means.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. Some of the information that you have requested is available by accessing Procurement Portal, specifically the Standard Terms and Conditions for the purchase of goods and/or services, which is available here:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/iomg/aspx/ViewDocument.aspx?dt=12&id=1249

In addition, some of the information you have request, regarding the contract extension letter, can be found by accessing the Isle of Man Government Freedom of Information Disclosure Log, specifically Case ID 4741801: https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/search

Please quote the reference number 4884981 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on:

  1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or

  2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision.

More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im.

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.