Sustainability - Sustainability Academy

During the last couple of years, regulators have been making serious efforts to end the greenwashing era.

Greenwashing misleads market actors and downgrades the efforts of the companies that truly want to green their products and activities. It poses several risks to consumers, businesses, and the environment. While companies engage in greenwashing to create a positive public image and attract environmentally conscious consumers, the deceptive practices can have significant negative consequences.

The IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) issued its first two IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards in June 2023. The new ISSB’s rules are backed by the G20 and aim to increase the pressure on companies to disclose their environmental impact. The disclosure requirements have been designed with anti-greenwashing prospects.

The Green Claims Directive

Earlier this year, the European Commission presented a new legislation: the Green Claims Directive. It aims to establish the first set of detailed EU rules for the substantiation of voluntary green claims and regulate the use of environmental claims in marketing communications in Europe.

The proposed requirements find application to the vast majority of EU operating companies, from SMEs to large public companies. Companies based outside the EU that target EU consumers are also included.

The Green Guides by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The US FTC has turned its focus on greenwashing. In December 2022, it launched a review of the “Guides for the Use of Environmental Claims” (“Green Guides”). The Green Guides were first issued about 30 years ago, but new rules are expected to be in place by the year’s end.

UK CMA’s Green Claims Code

The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has already taken its first action against greenwashing in 2021 with the Green Claims Code. In January 2022, it additionally launched a sector‑by‑sector review of misleading environmental claims, starting from the fashion. In the beginning of 2023, the CMA expanded its investigation to more sectors.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) priorities

Greenwashing is the new area of focus for ASIC. In May, the commission published a report, indicating its intention on surveilling possible greenwashing activities. The four core areas of concern were:

net zero’ statements and targets
use of terms such as ‘carbon neutral’, ‘clean’ or ‘green’
fund labels
scope and application of investment exclusions and screens

Moreover, the ASIC published an information sheet last year, providing a detailed guide of principles to follow when making, offering or promoting sustainability-related products.

From “carbon neutral” to “nature positive” and “environmentally friendly”, companies and agencies are now in the spotlight of unspecific claims. Particularly, climate-related claims are prone to being unclear and ambiguous.

Online Certificate on Green (Sustainable) Marketing

To address all the latest green claims issues, the Sustainability Academy has introduced a brand-new course, the Online Certificate on Green (Sustainable) Marketing. The course provides an overview of key issues and challenges involved in green marketing. It is designed to provide you with the necessary skills to implement a successful marketing strategy according to the latest sustainability frameworks and standards.

Additionally, the course will help you identify and combat greenwashing through real case examples from a variety of sectors.

Explore the opportunity to learn as a team with our special discount packages.

Group registrations allow you to attend our certified courses as a team at the same time. Our group courses are created to tackle present-day problems as well as prepare your company for the future.

Discounts can be applied to a group that registers either to the same course or in a combination of courses. Request more information at [email protected].

Why choose Sustainability Academy Certified Courses?

Offer a unique Certification accredited by CPD in an affordable manner trusted by global Fortune 500 companies and global accounting firms for their staff education
Content created by Sustainability thought leaders, professors and trainers with practical experience in the field of sustainability
Self-paced Courses that can be completed anytime within 45 days
Up-to-date content revised on annual basis that includes new legislations and trends based in field research
Joined by thousands of learners from 90 countries, including Sustainability professionals, graduates and entrepreneurs from various sectors

Bronze award for Sustainability Academy at the Hellenic Responsible Business Awards 2023

Sustainability Academy, the digital educational platform created by the Center for Sustainability (CSE), has been recognized for its innovation and impact. It was awarded the prestigious BRONZE award in the Technology for the Common Good / Digital Education & Skills category at the Hellenic Responsible Business Awards 2023.

The platform, launched in 2018, was designed to provide high-quality certified training exclusively focused on Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues. Its mission is to equip professionals, companies, and organizations worldwide with targeted and reliable sustainability training.

Drawing on CSE’s vast experience in Europe, USA, Canada, MENA, and Asia, Sustainability Academy meets the growing demand for specialized sustainability training. It enables learners to choose from a wide range of certified courses delivered in a self-paced recorded mode, allowing flexibility to accommodate personal needs and professional commitments.

Professionals and companies alike can take advantage of this platform, gaining the knowledge required to stay updated on relevant legislation and ESG standards. By empowering participants to plan and implement actions that reduce their corporate carbon footprint, Sustainability Academy is actively contributing to the global fight against climate change.

Over the past five years, more than 9,000 individuals from 95 countries, including several FT 500 companies, have become certified through Sustainability Academy. The platform has become a trusted resource, providing highly specialized sustainability training to companies worldwide.

Looking ahead, the goal is ambitious but essential: to reach 25,000 registrations by 2030. By doing so, Sustainability Academy aims to make a significant contribution to the certification and development of executives, empowering them to support their companies and foster a more sustainable planet.

In conclusion, Sustainability Academy’s recognition as an award-winning digital platform is a testament to its dedication to spreading knowledge and driving positive change in the realm of sustainability. With its global reach and certified training programs, the platform is poised to play a crucial role in building a sustainable future for all.

Greenhouse gas emissions represent a significant global concern with Scope 3 emissions being the most intense to several sectors.

Scope 3 emissions encompass all indirect emissions from a company’s value chain that occur as a result of a company’s activities but are outside of its operational control, this is why understanding and measuring them remains a challenge.

Companies that understand and manage their scope 3 emissions are clearly at an advantage as they can improve risk management, deepen resiliency, increase transparency and competitiveness, and attract investors. Moreover, global legislations, such as the SEC’s Climate-Related Disclosures and the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting and the newest Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence directives, require Scope 3 reporting, making the supply chain information mandate.

These emissions can be attributed to various sectors depending on the industry and the specific activities involved. It is also important to note that the intensity of Scope 3 emissions can vary significantly within each sector.

Below we will explore 4 sectors with intense Scope 3 emissions.

Mining Sector

The mining sector is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions and the scope 3 emissions of minerals and metals are significant. According to a recent analysis, up to 28% percent of global emissions are the result of the indirect impacts of mining operations.

The scope 3 emissions of this sector include the upstream production of fuels used in the mining operations, the downstream smelting, refining, and manufacturing processes utilizing the mined ore. Furthermore, transporting all these ores and metals generates emissions that can be greater than scopes 1 and 2 combined. They can contribute to more than 95% of its total emissions, resulting in the biggest decarbonization challenge for mining companies.

Oil and Gas Sector

While Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions are directly associated with energy generation, this sector includes also emissions resulting from the extraction, production, and transportation of fossil fuels, as well as the indirect emissions caused by electricity consumption by end-users. Specifically, scope 3 emissions account for 80-to-95% of total carbon emissions from oil and gas companies as stated in the Wood Mackenzie’s report “How Will Oil and Gas Companies Get to Scope 3 net zero?”.

Investors have been increasingly pressuring the oil and gas sector to address climate change concerns and call on the companies to set targets to reduce by 2030 their Scope 3 emissions. Unfortunately, according to the Climate Bond’s Initiative (CBI) latest state of the market report (an analysis of the green, social and sustainability (GSS) markets, sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), and transition bonds) none of the $5.4 billion raised by these companies under the sustainability-linked bonds label, was tied to Scope 3 emissions reductions.

Real Estate Sector

Carbon emissions of real estate companies are dominated by Scope 3 emissions, however, they remain underreported by the top 200 listed real estate companies with only 56% of these disclosing them. Moreover, more than half of those did not break down emissions at all.

Scope 3 emissions in the real estate sector can be generated by upstream emissions associated with the production and transportation of materials and equipment used in building construction and operation, downstream emissions associated with waste disposal, tenant transportation and commuting, as well as emissions from leased assets.

Financial Sector

Although not directly involved in emissions-intensive activities, financial institutions and investment services can have intense Scope 3 emissions through their financing and investment decisions. These emissions can be attributed to the carbon footprint of the companies they invest in, such as those in the fossil fuel industry or other high-emissions sectors. In other words, their Scope 3 emissions are their investees’ Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

CDP estimates that financial institutions Scope 3 emissions are 700 time greater than their direct emissions, counting for the 99% of their emissions.

Get a deep knowledge about Scope 3 emissions and how they affect your sector by enrolling to our best-selling certified course Online Certificate on Carbon Reduction and Net Zero Strategies and the brand-new Online Diploma on Sustainable Supply Chain Management.

Reach us at [email protected] to learn more about the certified courses and our special discounts!

Group registrations allow you to attend our certified courses as a team at the same time. Our group online courses are created to tackle present-day problems as well as prepare your company for the future.

Discounts can be applied to a group that registers either to the same course or in a combination of courses.

Why choose Sustainability Academy Certified Courses?

Offer a unique Certification accredited by CPD in an affordable manner trusted by global Fortune 500 companies and global accounting firms for their staff education
Content created by Sustainability thought leaders, professors and trainers with practical experience in the field of sustainability
Self-paced Courses that can be completed anytime within 45 days
Up-to-date content revised on annual basis that includes new legislations and trends based in field research
Joined by thousands of learners from 90 countries, including Sustainability professionals, graduates and entrepreneurs from various sectors

The SEC Climate-Related Disclosures Rule will be a huge challenge for many companies, but how much are they prepared for the level of transparency required?

This climate-related disclosures rule will serve as a catalyst to invest the time, money, and resources required to map their supply chains and it’s expected to force thousands of them to disclose the full scope of their greenhouse gas emissions.

Specifically, listed companies with revenues over $75 million will be required to disclose information about the direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1), the indirect emissions from purchased electricity or other forms of energy (Scope 2) and certain types of GHG emissions from upstream and downstream activities in its value chain (Scope 3). Furthermore, according to the SEC fact sheet, they may be required to provide their disclosures early in 2024, using their 2023 numbers.

Which are the Upstream activities?

These activities encompass the processes that occur before the company’s own operations begin, typically involving suppliers, raw material sourcing, and logistics. Upstream activities often include extraction or cultivation of raw materials, transportation and distribution, as well as any outsourced processes involved in the production of goods or services.

Which are the Downstream activities?

Downstream activities occur after the company’s own operations and involve the distribution, marketing, sales, and support of the final products or services. This includes activities such as product assembly, packaging, distribution logistics, marketing campaigns, retailing, and customer service.

Are companies really prepared?

Scope 3 emissions account for up to 75 percent of a company’s total footprint and many of them have very poor visibility beyond their Tier 1 suppliers. They require immense amounts of time and money as these emissions are more than just suppliers. They are the entire depth of the supply chain. Moreover, the lack of direct control by companies over the requisite data along with the poor transparency can drive into many “black holes” in their supply chains.

The rule was designed to increase consistency and transparency in GHG accounting. If companies have already publicly set climate-related targets or goals, they need to disclose how they intend to meet them.

Smaller companies with less than $100 million in annual revenue will not be part of the requirement for now, however, Scope 3 emissions are generated outside the company’s control and greatly affected by other small companies throughout their value chain. This means that compliance would be required from them sooner or later.

Equip with all the necessary tools to build a resilient and efficient sustainable supply chain by registering to the Online Diploma on Sustainable Supply Chain Management course. Transform your organization’s climate pledges into actionable strategies through better supply chain management and be prepared for the upcoming challenges in your sector.

Don’t miss out the chance to register with our special 20% discount until July 20. Contact us at [email protected]

Discounts can be applied to a group that registers either to the same course or in a combination of courses.

Why choose Sustainability Academy Certified Courses?

Offer a unique Certification accredited by CPD in an affordable manner trusted by global Fortune 500 companies and global accounting firms for their staff education
Content created by Sustainability thought leaders, professors and trainers with practical experience in the field of sustainability
Self-paced Courses that can be completed anytime within 45 days
Up-to-date content revised on annual basis that includes new legislations and trends based in field research
Joined by thousands of learners from 90 countries, including Sustainability professionals, graduates and entrepreneurs from various sectors

The topic of sustainable transportation has attracted more and more attention in Europe over the past ten years, as cities work to lower their carbon footprints and encourage a more environmentally friendly way of life.

Greenhouse gas emissions by transport account for 28% of total emissions in the European Union and 37% globally. EU governments have been working hard to find innovative solutions to reach European Green Deal’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Public transportation, electric vehicles, and bicycles have all emerged as important solutions to the problems associated with urban mobility. So how are these sustainable transportation options changing urban mobility in Europe?

Electric Cars: The Future of Mobility

One of the most promising ways to lessen transportation’s carbon footprint is through the use of electric vehicles. Over the past few years, the sales of electric vehicles have been steadily rising, with Norway, Netherlands, and Sweden setting the European pace. The advantages of electric vehicles are obvious: they have no tailpipe emissions, cost less to operate and need less maintenance than conventional vehicles. Governments in Europe have also been providing incentives, such as tax breaks, subsidies, and free parking in cities, to promote the use of electric vehicles.

Bicycles: A Sustainable and Healthy Option

In Europe, bicycles have long been a common form of transportation, and as more cities build out their cycling infrastructure, the popularity of bicycles only grows. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen are setting the bar high when it comes to promoting cycling as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation in cities. Cities all over Europe have started to adopt bike-sharing programs, which offer locals and visitors a practical and affordable means of transportation.

Public Transit: A Key Component of Sustainable Transportation

Sustainable transportation in Europe heavily relies on public transit systems like trains, buses, and trams. Public transportation makes it easy and affordable to get around cities, which decreases the need for personal vehicles and eases traffic congestion. Many European cities have made investments to update their public transportation infrastructure, including the creation of electric buses and trams. Additionally, some cities have free or inexpensive public transportation, enticing people to take it instead of their cars.

The Future of Sustainable Transportation in Europe

Urban mobility in Europe is changing as a result of sustainable transportation options like electric cars, bicycles, and public transit systems. These alternatives provide a way to lessen the carbon footprint of transportation, enhance air quality, ease traffic, and support active and healthy lifestyles. Although it appears that sustainable transportation in Europe has a promising future, this potential will only be fully realized with continued investment and promotion.

Want to be a driver of change towards a more sustainable future? Sustainability Academy’s certified courses are designed by leading professionals and trainers with expertise in the field of sustainability.

This World Water Day, let’s take a moment to learn about the impact of the textile industry on our water sources. Water is an essential resource for most organizations and reducing its footprint brings a lot of benefits.

Explore what businesses can do to reduce their water footprint and make the textile sector more sustainable.

What is the textile sector?

The textile sector refers to the production of textiles – fabrics, yarns and materials created from cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers. This sector encompasses the entire process from the growth and harvesting of the raw materials to the manufacturing and retailing of finished products. The global textile sector employs millions of people and accounts for 2.5% of the world’s GDP. Textiles have been used since ancient times and remain an essential component of global trade and industry. As the global population continues to grow, so too does the textile sector. However, this growth comes with a cost: the pollution of our valuable water sources.

Water pollution in the textile sector

The textile sector relies heavily on water for the processing of raw materials and the finishing of textiles. During these processes, dyes and chemicals are released into our waterways and contaminate the water sources that are vital for drinking, bathing, farming, and recreation. Synthetic fibers, such as polyester and polyamide, are also a major contributor to water pollution.

These fabrics are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down. They are also highly absorbent, which means that microplastics and other toxins on our waterways will cling to them. This can harm wildlife, contaminate drinking water and spread toxins to other ecosystems. Moreover, textile dyeing is the second-largest polluter of water worldwide, with the fashion industry producing 20% of the world’s wastewater.

How can the textile sector reduce water pollution?

Businesses, organizations can take steps to reduce their water footprint and make the textile sector more sustainable. Businesses can start by replacing synthetic fabrics with organic and recycled alternatives, such as bamboo, hemp, or organic cotton. This will not only reduce water use, but will also eliminate the need for harsh dyes and chemicals, further reducing water pollution. Organizations can also reduce their water footprint by buying fewer or used items, or investing in sustainable textiles.

Why World Water Day matters for the textile sector?

The textile sector is one of the world’s largest polluters of water. World Water Day is a day set aside to remind individuals and organizations of the importance of clean water sources. Our actions can have a profound impact on our waterways. Now more than ever, it is important for businesses to consider their water footprint and take steps to reduce it.

By investing in sustainable materials, recycling water and reducing the amount of water used in their processes, companies can play a vital role in the fight against water pollution.

Discover more topics on water footprint and how to reduce it with LCA methodology, by enrolling to the recently updated Online Certificate on Carbon Reduction and Net Zero Strategies. You can register with a special 20% discount until March 31, using the coupon code “NZ20”.

Sustainability is transforming business like never before and ambitious net-zero commitments and efforts have increased. Companies are now investing in people who can make them happen, which means that the employment market is already transforming and becoming more favorable to graduates with sustainability skills and expertise.

According to the State of the Profession 2022 study, the sustainability profession is expanding more than any other time in history. The study also revealed the average total compensation for sustainability managers, directors and sustainability vice presidents. The average total compensation for sustainability managers is $146,900, $227,158 for directors and $404,972 for vice presidents, which is quite an impressive, because these salaries reflect the business transition toward a greener economic system.

On the other hand, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has already estimated that 24 million jobs worldwide could be created by the sustainable economy by 2030 alone, while LinkedIn has shown a shift to green skills. Specifically, about 10% of job postings require at least one green skill, even for roles not in the environmental sector. This is verified by LinkedIn’s first Global Green Skills Report, which has estimated that the share of green talent has shown a growth rate of 38.5% between 2015 and 2021.

With sustainability entering a new era, the competition for sustainability jobs is fierce. These are the four main types of skills that candidates should have if they want to pursue a career on sustainability, as identified by the Green General Skill index:

Engineering and technical skills

These skills are needed to develop new products and solutions. This type of knowhow is prominent for eco-building, renewable energy design and energy-saving projects.

Science-based skills

Such skills can be vital in the utilities sector and they are in especially high demand at early stages of the value chains.

Operational management skills

It is important to have an overall understanding of how your company operates in order to communicate its performance to the internal and external stakeholders. They are also required to support green activities through life-cycle management.

Monitoring skills

ESG has crossed over to non-financial service companies and mainly refers to the reporting, disclosures and investor relations. ESG professionals are required to have experience in measuring, reporting and aligning with an increasing number of standards and frameworks, such as the Science Based Targets initiative, GRI, SASB or the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

Be a part of the new market transformation and gain a competitive advantage. The Sustainability Academy offers unique certified courses for professionals on all fields of Sustainability and ESG, such as Corporate Sustainability, Carbon Reduction, ESG Reporting, ESG Impact and Sustainable Investing, Circular Economy, SASB and TCFD Reporting. The courses provide a certified qualification to professionals so they can meet the high demands of their positions and the requirements of stakeholders.

It is apparent that during 2021, profitable companies will be defined by the level of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing and how this will shape their strategies and their overall operations. ESG investing relies on independent ratings that help you assess a company’s behavior and policies when it comes to environmental, social and governance issues.

However, what needs to be stressed is the depth of commitment and engagement that should be developed on behalf of the organizations so that they allow ESG issues to influence their strategic and management decisions.

The Sustainable / ESG reporting ecosystem is rapidly evolving and is made up of an ever-increasing number of frameworks, standards and providers.

Sustainable policies and ESG ratings can be an important resource as investors seek to interpret and compare information. Ensuring that your investment choices are aligned with your priorities is one reason to pursue ESG investing. But aside from helping to fight climate change and social injustice, Sustainable and an ESG investing strategy can offer higher returns as well.

One of the best actions a company can take is educating and training on sustainability and ESG issues, how to identify and assess stakeholders, then prioritize material issues. The training is the first step in an iterative process.

The Center for Sustainability & Excellence (CSE) and its online training platform of Sustainability Academy are committed to provide the latest and most updated knowledge in the field. Additionally, CSE is currently the only training organization in North America offering training material provided by SASB.

On that note, all our specialized courses here>>

Do you consider Georgia a green state? According to the financial website Wallethub, Georgia has some work to do. Last year, in order to “highlight the greenest states and call out those doing a poor job of caring for the environment,” Wallethub analyzed all 50 states across three key dimensions: environmental quality, eco-friendly behaviors and climate change contributions.

Those three dimensions were evaluated using 27 relevant metrics, including air quality, green buildings, daily water consumption, methane emissions and more. Each state’s scores were added up, with 100 points possible.

At the top of the chart was Vermont, with a score of 76.35. Rounding out the top five were New York, 75.49; Oregon, 75.24; Connecticut, 73.89; and Minnesota, 73.13.

Georgia finished No. 30, with a score of 53.89. Georgia ranked No. 20 for environmental quality, No. 41 for eco-friendly behaviors and No. 26 for climate change contributions.

As we start a new year and decade, CSE released its list of hottest trends on corporate sustainability for 2020 and beyond and many of these trends are related to the environment.

How can the state of Georgia improve their “green” ranking?

Do you represent or are directly or indirectly linked to environmental opportunities and/or challenges in Georgia? What solutions do you adopt? What actions to do implement? And what role can you play to ensure the sustainability of the state and all its stakeholders? Join CSE in Atlanta in a few weeks for sustainability discussions.

CSE’s Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Program, Advanced Edition 2020, takes over Atlanta March 9-10, 2020 to help sustainability professionals rise to any occasion. This challenging two-day training offered by Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) aims to give you all the latest tools and resources required to implement or upscale existing sustainability initiatives taking place in your organization.

Florida’s wildlife is without a doubt impacted by rising sea levels, warmer temperatures on land and in water, and changes in seasonal rainfall patterns and storm events as the climate changes. Species distributions, life cycles, and interactions between predators and preys will shift in response to accelerating climate change.

Climate change is also expected to increase dissolved carbon dioxide concentrations in the water, making seawater more acidic. This change will likely cause harm to Florida’s coral reefs and the ability for marine organisms to build their shells.

While some species will thrive in a changing climate, others could decline to the point of becoming endangered.

Florida’s Everglades is undoubtedly suffering from climate change consequences. After being drained and developed, polluted with fertilizers, and overrun by invasive species, it’s no secret that today the vast wetland is on life support.

A recently released report, however, underscores the severity of the situation. The Everglades’ conservation outlook is “critical,” according to a study out this month from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with climate change, altered water flow, and invasive species taking a major toll on an already-damaged environment.

Of 241 natural wonders assessed around the globe, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Smoky Mountains, only 17 — or 7 percent — were rated critical. The Glades was the only natural gem in the United States to earn that dire designation.

What solutions can organizations play in helping reverse this situation? Do organizations in Florida have a role to play to show good corporate citizenship?

If you represent or are directly or indirectly linked to the biodiversity industry in Florida, what solutions do you adopt and what actions to do implement to ensure the sustainability of your organization in this threatened industry? Join us in Miami in early 2020 for sustainability discussions regarding this important aspect for the Sunshine State.

CSE’s Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Program, Advanced Edition 2020, takes over Florida January 16-17, 2020 to help sustainability professionals rise to any occasion. This challenging two-day training offered by Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) aims to give you all the latest tools and resources required to implement or upscale existing sustainability initiatives taking place in your organization.