Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting Professional Certificate | NAU

Program Overview

Given the scale and challenges posed by climate change, there is a strong and growing need for professionals with robust skills in tracking, reporting, and managing carbon emissions from companies and organizations. NAU provides one-of-a-kind, hands-on professional training in carbon accounting, with pathways for both current students and working professionals.

Relevant, Up-to-Date Training That Meets Industry & Professional Needs

The non-credit professional certificate in GHG Accounting is designed to provide you with fundamental knowledge and a robust skill set in carbon accounting and corporate climate action. The certificate includes four (4) courses that were created in collaboration with industry professionals. Each course is fully online, thoughtfully designed around hands-on activities using real-world data, and continually updated to keep pace with the evolving landscape of carbon accounting.

The courses are entirely self-paced and designed to be taken in sequence, with the content building on previous courses in order to promote skill development.

Why the Need for GHG Accounting Skills is Growing Rapidly

Over the past decade, there has been steady growth in climate action by corporations, with many large companies setting ambitious, long-term GHG emission reduction and/or “net-zero” emission targets. Companies see aggressive emission reduction goals as good for business and a way to market themselves as climate friendly. However, companies cannot manage what they don’t measure. Therefore, the need for skilled GHG accountants is growing exponentially.

Many companies are looking for new employees trained in the specifics of GHG accounting or consultants with this expertise.

Get the skills you need for your current position or to shift careers and be competitive in this growing job sector!

Cutting-Edge Training Designed in Collaboration with Industry Leaders

This online certificate program provides you with the technical skills needed to quantify, report, analyze, and verify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the product, corporate, or community level. It also trains you in how to use GHG emissions profile to design effective climate action and emission mitigation strategies.

You Will Learn To:

• Identify, manage, and track activity data for GHG emission calculations
• Quantify and report GHG emissions using appropriate protocols and standards
• Verify the GHG emissions reported by others
• Use quantified GHG emissions, together with appropriate economic metrics, to design and justify effective emission management, reduction, and mitigation strategies

Course Curriculum

The certificate consists of four sequential courses:

1. Foundations in GHG Accounting I

Introduction to fundamental principles and methodologies of greenhouse gas accounting.

2. Foundations in GHG Accounting II

Advanced GHG accounting methods building on foundational concepts.

3. Value-Chain GHG Accounting

Comprehensive approach to Scope 3 emissions and supply chain carbon accounting.

4. GHG Mitigation and Management

Strategic approaches to emission reduction, mitigation strategies, and decision-making processes.

Program Features

• Fully Online: Complete the program entirely online at your own pace
• Real-World Applications: Hands-on activities using actual industry data
• Industry Collaboration: Developed with input from GHG accounting professionals
• Sequential Learning: Courses build upon each other for comprehensive skill development
• Current Content: Continually updated to reflect evolving carbon accounting landscape
• Flexible Timeline: Self-paced learning accommodates working professionals

Cost and Registration

• Course Cost: $499 per course
• Total Program Cost: $1,996 for all four courses
• Financial Aid: No financial aid available for non-credit programs, but employers may provide reimbursement
• Registration: Sign up and pay for the first course; start at any time

How to Apply

Register Now!

Sign up and pay for the first course; start at any time.

Contact: ContinuingEd@nau.edu if you have any questions.

Student Success Stories

“While climate change can often feel like an overwhelming and unapproachable problem, this certificate is an excellent way for professionals to build valuable technical skills for careers that directly contribute to a more sustainable world.”
— Caitlin Brogan

“This certificate taught me the fundamentals of conducting GHG inventories using real world data, about the market-based method to Scope 2 accounting, Scope 3 emissions estimates, and GHG mitigation strategies and decision making processes. I cannot recommend this certificate enough! If you are interested in being on the frontlines of emissions reductions and climate change mitigation this is the certificate for you! You’ll learn all of the fundamentals and many of the nuances of GHG accounting with real world data and scenarios.”
— Charles Linkenheil

“This certificate provided me with essential knowledge of GHG accounting concepts and practice with real data. This certificate program is a gateway to an increasingly in-demand career. It strengthened my data analysis skills and provided me with insight into an emerging field within sustainability.”
— Mary Beth Bayruns

Career Applications

This certificate prepares you for roles in:

• Carbon Accounting Specialist
• Sustainability Analyst
• Climate Action Coordinator
• Environmental Compliance Manager
• GHG Verification Consultant
• Corporate Sustainability Manager
• Climate Risk Analyst

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Receive training and accreditation in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting to propel your career in climate action!