Carbon Accounting and Decarbonization Strategies

Course Overview:
This course equips professionals with the essential knowledge and practical tools to measure, report, and reduce carbon emissions across various sectors, with a special focus on the energy industry. Learners will explore technical and strategic approaches to GHG accounting, including decarbonization pathways, digital solutions, and regulatory frameworks.

Who Should Attend:

• Sustainability and ESG practitioners
• Finance professionals and auditors
• Consultants and analysts in climate, energy, and environment
• Government and policy advisors
• Corporate strategists and operations managers

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Apply international standards (GHG Protocol, ISO 14064) in carbon accounting.
2. Prepare carbon inventories and Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reports.
3. Analyze decarbonization strategies in high-emitting sectors, especially energy.
4. Evaluate digital tools (AI, digital twins) for emissions monitoring and optimization.
5. Interpret carbon market mechanisms and offset frameworks.

Course Modules:

1. Module 1: Climate Science & Net Zero Concepts
   • Understanding climate change, the carbon cycle, and global warming potential (GWP)
   • Key climate science bodies (IPCC, UNFCCC) and terminology (e.g., carbon neutrality, net zero, climate positive)
   • The science-policy-business nexus: why net zero matters for companies and governments
   • Overview of global targets (Paris Agreement, SDGs, 1.5°C goal)
2. Module 2: GHG Protocol & Scope 1–3 Emissions
   • Introduction to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Corporate Standard, Value Chain (Scope 3), Product Life Cycle)
   • Defining and categorizing Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (purchased electricity), Scope 3 (value chain) emissions
   • Double counting and allocation issues in multi-actor settings
   • Emissions boundary setting: operational vs. equity control
3. Module 3: Carbon Footprinting Tools & Frameworks
   • Tools: Excel-based models, Carbon Footprint calculators, CFT, SAP SFM, Simapro, GHG tools from DEFRA/USEPA
   • Introduction to life cycle assessment (LCA)
   • Case examples of carbon footprinting from services and products (B2B and B2C)
   • Sector-specific footprint methodologies (buildings, transport, agriculture)
4. Module 4: Regulatory Compliance (e.g., ISSB, TCFD, CDP)
   • Overview of evolving global disclosure standards
   • ISSB S1 & S2, TCFD framework – aligning carbon data with financial disclosures
   • CDP reporting requirements and scoring criteria
   • Regional frameworks: EU CSRD, US SEC climate disclosures, Australia’s proposed mandatory climate risk reporting.