Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting Certificates
"While climate change can often feel like an overwhelming and unapproachable problem, the GHG Accounting Certificate is an excellent way for professionals to build valuable technical skills for careers that directly contribute to a more sustainable world."
- Caitlin Brogen, GHG Accounting Certificate Graduate
Given the scale and challenges imposed by climate change, there is a strong and growing need for professionals with robust skills in tracking, reporting, and managing GHG emissions from companies and organizations. Individuals with a foundational knowledge in how GHG inventories are created can also better speak to the issues and challenges associated with net zero emissions standards (and claims), as well as the best practices for designing emission reduction strategies.
![](https://carml.rc.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/powerplant.jpeg)
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. However, companies cannot manage what they don’t measure. Therefore, the need for skilled GHG accountants is growing exponentially. In addition, in March of 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a rule change that would require all publicly traded companies in the U.S. to report their climate-related financial risk. The SEC proposed rule would also require companies to disclose their GHG emissions inventory, which has become a commonly used metric to assess a company’s climate-related risk or exposure. For companies to remain compliant with the SEC’s new proposed rule, they will either need employees trained in the specifics of GHG accounting or must hire consultants with this expertise.
Our GHG Accounting Certificate Trains you to:
- Quantify, report, and analyze the GHG emissions associated with a company or organization, and individual products.
- Use reported GHG emissions to design effective emission reduction and mitigation strategies
About the GHG accounting certificate
The GHG Accounting Certificate includes four (4) courses that were designed in collaboration with industry professionals. Each course is fully online, thoughtfully designed around hands-on activities using real-world data, and continually updates to keep pace with the evolving landscape of carbon accounting.
The courses are designed to be taken in sequence with the content building on previous courses in order to promote skill development and proficiency in GHG accounting.
![](https://carml.rc.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GHG-course-overview-diagram-no-timeline.png)
Two pathways to earn certificate:
For current graduate students:
![](https://carml.rc.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/0674_isaiah_raspet_20230407-1024x683.jpg)
The Graduate Certificate in GHG Accounting is designed for existing students looking to get a competitive edge in job market. The certificate can be completed as a stand-alone certificate or the certificate (and courses) may qualify as elective courses in your graduate degree. Consult with your major advisor to see if the certificate will add any time or cost to your current education goals
For working professionals:
![](https://carml.rc.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/adult-learner590.jpg)
The non-credit certificate in GHG Accounting includes the same curriculum as the for-credit pathway, but with more flexibility for working professionals. The courses are all online and you can complete them at your own pace. You may begin the first course at any time, at your own convenience. All 4 courses can be completed within about 4 to 8 months, depending on how much time you devote each week.
![Climate change, compare image with Drought, Green field and Ocean metaphor Nature disaster, World climate and Environment, Ecology system. Climate change, compare image with Drought, Green field and Ocean metaphor Nature disaster, World climate and Environment, Ecology system.](https://carml.rc.nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/adobestock_1200-q5b4e7u2v7riprx4n80h9p2mb6np6yf6bk8n92a0mw.jpeg)