Talking carbon reporting, practical advice and climate change heroes with SmartCarbon’s newest recruit, Molly Woods.
Having joined the SmartCarbon team in 2025, a proper introduction to SmartCarbon Programme Manager, Molly Woods is long overdue. We sat down with Molly to find out more about her route into carbon reporting, what motivates her work, and the practical advice she offers organisations starting out on their carbon measurement journey.
Hi Molly, can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up and what you aspired to be before you left school?
I grew up just a short distance from London, in Woodford Green, on the Essex side of the border. Growing up, I was never quite sure what I wanted to do, and I took a very winding path to get to where I am now. But I remember thinking it would be fun to be a back-up dancer on ‘Top of the Pops’!
What brought you into the carbon reporting role?
At the University of Nottingham in the mid-90s, I had the privilege of having two tutors, Robert and Brenda Vale, who were pioneers of sustainable architecture in the 1970s. They were the first people to make me aware of how much damage we are doing to the world and how essential it is to do things differently. Since then, my career has become increasingly focused on tackling the climate emergency. I’d be happy working in any related field that makes a positive difference.
What has been the most satisfying aspect of your job so far?
For me, carbon reporting is a satisfying mix of understanding and supporting people, combined with some nerdy number-crunching. The best part so far has been getting involved in the decarbonisation workshops that we facilitate – I love seeing our clients enthusiastically commit to transitioning to low-carbon alternatives, even when it requires a considerable amount of effort from them.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
I think the biggest challenge is to stay positive when the political backing is diminishing.
What piece of advice would you offer to any organisation looking to measure their emissions?
The best advice I can give is this: measuring carbon emissions is not as hard as you think – just get stuck in.
What would people be most surprised about when measuring their carbon footprint?
How much impact their purchased goods and services have, which usually account for at least 50% of an organisation’s footprint.
If you weren’t helping organisations to measure and report their carbon footprint, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t in carbon reporting, it would be some other role in decarbonisation – most likely, renewable energy projects.
Who would you describe as a climate leader that you admire?
It would have to be the wonderful Sir David Attenborough who managed to open the eyes of millions of people.
If climate change is the greatest challenge that any generation has faced, what gives you hope that we will rise to it?
I think people are generally motivated by saving money, and taking the most sustainable route will increasingly become the most economically advantageous one. It already is but, in the future, this will become even more apparent.
What interests do you have that help to take your mind away from work?
I like long walks along the beach and laughing with friends.
Tell us one surprising fact about you that not many people would know?
I was an assistant architect on the refurbishment of Ringo Starr’s Jacobean mansion. Due to the client’s wife’s vegetarian sensibilities, I had to draft a secret letter to the contractor covering the risk assessment for bringing firearms onto site to deal with the rabbit “problem”. My own vegetarian sensibilities had to be temporarily shelved.
What if any changes have you made in your lifestyle in response to the climate challenge?
I don’t think I’ve changed that much. I was brought up in a family that disapproved of waste, didn’t go on flashy foreign holidays, and loved nothing more than a lovely plate of vegetables.
As for the smaller changes, I very rarely buy new items and I no longer blow-dry my hair – I’m embracing the dishevelled look!
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