Full course description
Value-chain Greenhouse Gas Accounting
This non-credit course teaches you the methods and skills needed to quantify Scope 3 or value-chain emissions for an organization following globally-accepted standards and frameworks, as well as how to quantify the life-cycle emissions associated with a specific product. You will also learn how to use value-chain emissions to identify the greatest GHG reduction opportunities across a company's entire value chain. Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions that occur as a result of activities outside of an organization's own operations but often represent its largest source of emissions. Quantifying Scope 3 emissions enable organizations to comprehensively manage their emissions-related risks and opportunities and provide a more transparent and holistic account of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or impact. Therefore, understanding the sources of Scope 3 emissions can help an organization know where to focus its reduction efforts and is foundational to effective GHG mitigation and management. This is the third course in a series of four courses that satisfy the requirements for the Professional Certificate in Greenhouse Gas Accounting.
Instructor: Deborah Huntzinger
This course is offered online and is self-paced. This course will utilize Canvas, an online learning management system. Upon registration, please visit your student dashboard to access Canvas.
You will have one year to complete this course, although most students will complete it earlier.
For more information, contact: ContinuingEd@nau.edu
About this program...
NAU provides one-of-a-kind professional training in carbon accounting, with pathways for both current students and working professionals.
Over the past decade, there has been steady growth in climate action by corporations, with many large companies 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. 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. Companies are increasingly being scrutinized by the insurance industry, consumers, and investors - all of which view GHG emissions as a liability and an increased financial risk. 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.
Hands-on, flexible learning designed in collaboration with industry leaders.
The non-credit Certificate in GHG Accounting includes four (4) courses. Each course is online and students move at their own pace. The courses are designed to be taken in series with content building on previous courses in order to promote skill development and proficiency in GHG accounting. The courses are all online and self-paced so you can complete them at your own convenience. We anticipate that most individuals can complete all four courses and finish the program within about 4 to 8 months, depending on how much time they devote each week. Each individual course is $499 and has an expiration date of one year.
You will receive a non-credit certificate of completion and a digital badge from NAU at the end of the 4-course series.
Dr. Huntzinger has been a Professor of Climate Science within the School of Earth and Sustainability. She is an engineer by training, with a bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. in Geological Engineering. Throughout her career, her research interests have focused on improving the understanding of complex environmental systems and our ability to forecast their future variability. Much of Dr. Huntzinger's current research interests are in advancing the understanding of the land carbon cycle’s interactions and feedback with Earth’s changing climate. In addition, she is working to improve both the approaches and data supporting greenhouse gas accounting at the organizational and corporate levels. She has taught the principles of GHG accounting to students for over 10 years. She developed this certificate program after observing the growing need for robust training in GHG emissions accounting.
ACCESSIBILITY
Professional disability specialists are available at Disability Resources to facilitate a range of academic support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability, you can request assistance by contacting Disability Resources at 928-523-8773 (voice), ,928-523-8747 (fax), or dr@nau.edu (e-mail).