A guide to sustainability certifications for professionals
From starter-level training to in-depth ESG reporting, explore more than 30 sustainability classes, credentials and certifications that working professionals can consider now.
Over the past few years, sustainability certifications have shifted from voluntary credentials to strategic imperatives for businesses.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance has become mandatory under frameworks like the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, or CSRD, and California's climate disclosure laws. In turn, businesses are required to make ESG commitments to remain compliant and earn consumer trust. With strong sustainability leaders who are certified professionals, organizations can stay on top of current ESG best practices and regulations.
Sustainability certifications can help leaders better understand ESG as it stands and support their businesses. This training and upskilling can also help these leaders ensure their employability and long-term career growth.
Why sustainability certifications are important
Employees interested in professional development can consider a sustainability or ESG certification to improve an existing skill set and to add credibility. In general, training and certifications can give workers industry prestige, improve overall job prospects and potentially increase earnings.
With a certification, employees commit to environmental responsibility and ethical business practices. They can consider certifications that specifically align company goals with sustainable practices and ESG frameworks, such as International Financial Reporting Standards or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).
The certifications below focus on sustainability and ESG principles applicable to aspiring and practicing workers at a range of levels, with an emphasis on practical timeframes, reasonable weekly time commitments and asynchronous availability. They are not ranked but are sorted by type and listed in alphabetical order by granting institution. Due to the elastic nature of enrollment fees, refer to the granting institutions to confirm any final financial costs.
Explore over 30 sustainability certifications for professionals that business and IT leaders can consider for boosting their green skills and giving themselves an edge in the job market.
8 free or low-cost sustainability and ESG certifications
The following sustainability and ESG courses can help a wide range of employees, from those starting a sustainability journey to those looking to help establish or improve their organization's sustainability strategies.
1. Working for a sustainable future: concepts and approaches by Lund University/Coursera
Course details
This beginner's course is aimed at participants who want to learn relevant concepts in sustainability science, independent of their field. Across five modules, students learn key sustainability concepts, such as vocabulary, systems thinking and integration of ESG into their specific areas.
Study materials include videos and readings with module assessments. Educators include professors specializing in sustainability, engineering and economics. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English, but subtitles in various languages are available.
Duration and expected study time: Two weeks, with 10 hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students earn a shareable digital certificate upon completion.
Estimated cost: Course is free but to earn a certificate, students must pay a fee.
2. Sustainable Digital Innovation by EIT Digital/Coursera
Course details
This intermediate-level course is for learners who want to align business strategy with sustainability goals. Across five modules, students will focus on topics such as the sustainable contextual framework and methods and tools to address sustainable challenges of different means.
Study materials include videos, readings and quizzes. Educators include practicing IT, business and industry professionals. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English, but subtitles in various languages are available.
Duration and expected study time: 10 hours across one week.
Certificate granted: Students who choose the paid version earn a digital certificate upon completion.
Additional options: EIT Digital also provides a separate version of the course with the same name that students can take in person.
Estimated cost: The course is free, but to earn a certificate, students must pay a fee.
3. Tech for Good: The Role of ICT in Achieving the SDGs by SDG AcademyX
Course details
This intermediate-level course is for aspiring and practicing technology and sustainable development specialists. Students examine how digital technologies empower society and the challenges tech introduces to the world.
Study materials include videos, assignments and exams. Educators include leaders from Tech for Good, UNESCO and the United Nations (U.N.). The course is self-paced online. The content is in English, with subtitles in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.
Duration and expected study time: 10 weeks, with three to five hours per week.
Certificate granted: An optional shareable certificate upon completion is available for a fee.
Estimated cost: Free for course; additional cost for an optional certificate.
4. Become a Sustainable Business Change Agent Specialization by University of Colorado/Coursera
Course details
This intermediate-level course is for learners who want to understand how businesses affect the environment, people and communities. Across four modules, students gain skills to become effective change agents and create a sustainability proposal as the capstone project.
Educators include practicing lecturers in sustainable business and climate change. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English, but subtitles in various languages are available.
Duration and expected study time: Four weeks, with 10 hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students who choose the paid version receive a digital certificate of completion.
Estimated cost: The course is free, but to earn a certificate, students must pay a fee.
5. How to Measure, Reduce, and Offset Your Company's Carbon Footprint by MSQ and BIMA/FutureLearn
Course details
This introductory course is designed for anyone interested in how companies of any size can tackle climate change. Students learn the terminology, measurement techniques and reduction strategies to assess a company's existing carbon footprint, with an emphasis on analyzing Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions.
A practicing chief sustainability officer (CSO) leads the self-paced, online course. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: Six weeks, with three hours per week.
Certificate granted: Complete 90% of the course and all the assessments to receive a certificate of completion.
Additional options: Students can offset one ton of carbon and plant five trees supported by Ecologi if they upgrade from the free tier.
Estimated cost: Free to sample the course materials. A one-off payment of $134 grants access to only this course. A $350 investment gives an annual subscription to FutureLearn with access to its entire learning library.
6. The Materiality of ESG Factors Specialization by University of Pennsylvania/Coursera
Course details
This beginner-level course is meant for those aspiring and practicing financial specialists. Across four modules, students focus on the fundamentals and history of ESG investing, materiality pathways and identifying critical ESG factors. Students also learn best practices for risk management, the importance of climate disclosures and how social activism affects the corporate world.
Educators include practicing educators in finance, legal studies and business ethics. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English, but subtitles in various languages are available.
Duration and expected study time: Four weeks, with 10 hours per week.
Certificate granted: Successful completion of four cumulative assessments grants students a digital certificate.
Estimated cost: Free for the course; additional cost for an optional certificate.
7. Foundations of Sustainable Development by SDGAcademy/EdX
Course details
This course is geared toward active and aspiring sustainable development professionals. The course, with two modules, focuses on the interactions between sustainable economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Educators include professors from various universities and environmental scientists. This course is self-paced online. The content is in English, but subtitles in various languages are available.
Duration and expected study time: Six months, with three to five hours per week.
Certificate granted: Alumni receive a professional certificate.
Additional options: SDGAcademy also offers a pathway to a master's degree with an additional module that closely examines the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students who complete the Master's Pathway on EdX will be eligible to receive 10 credits toward University College Dublin's online Professional Diploma in Foundations of Sustainable Development, which can lead to UCD's Master of Science in Sustainable Development, after completing additional requirements.
Estimated cost: $118.
8. Tackling Climate Change: Sustainable Business Models for a Circular Economy by University of Glasgow/FutureLearn
Course details
This introductory-level course is designed for those who want to learn more about how circular economies and business models enable sustainability. Learners who understand how business models work in practice might find the course useful.
The course focuses on the circular economy, circular business models and how businesses can transform operations to become sustainable. Educators include professors of environmental and climate science and fellows in geographical and earth sciences. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: Four weeks, with three hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students who select the paid version receive a digital certificate of completion.
Estimated cost: Free to sample the course materials. A one-off payment of $134 grants access to this course only. A $350 investment gives an annual subscription to FutureLearn with access to its entire learning library.
7 sustainability certifications for professionals
The following programs don't have any formal prerequisite classes, unless otherwise noted. Some also offer continuing education units (CEUs), which quantify the time an individual must invest in a professional development program. CEUs help measure ongoing training or education, which is necessary in many fields, and the specific requirements vary among different industries.
As enrollment fees are subject to change, please refer to the granting institutions to confirm any financial costs.
1. Sustainable Business by Cornell University
Course details
The course is meant for roles such as mid- to senior-level managers, brand managers and sustainability directors. Its five courses cover key topics, including sustainable business foundations, analyzing sustainability in organizations, applying sustainability strategy, implementing sustainability and strategic stakeholder management.
Co-leading educators include active professors in business and directors in sustainable global enterprises. This course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: 3 months, with three to five hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students earn a Johnson Graduate School of Management certificate and five CEUs.
Additional options: Cornell also offers a Corporate Sustainability certificate.
Estimated cost: $3,900.
2. Sustainable Business Strategy by Harvard Business School Online
Course details
This course is for early-career and practicing corporate sustainability professionals, consultants, leaders and entrepreneurs. Students learn key concepts, including business models that drive change, communicating as a purpose-driven leader and exploring why collective efforts matter.
Students must complete three modules by the stated deadlines and collaborate with assigned groups for three brief team meetings. The program is led by Rebecca M. Henderson, the John and Natty McArthur University Professor. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English, but subtitles in various languages are available.
Duration and expected study time: Three weeks, with seven to nine hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students earn a certificate of completion.
Additional options: Alumni can pursue a specialization certificate by completing two additional courses offered within the Strategy learning track.
Estimated cost: $1,850.
3. Winning Sustainability Strategies by International Institute for Management Development
Course details
This program targets C-suite business executives, strategy practitioners and sustainability professionals. The course's five units cover how to implement the U.N. SDGs in their organizations. Coursework focuses on a practical framework, using strategies such as the vectoring model and identifying circular economy opportunities.
Study materials include peer-to-peer interaction, multimedia and practical assignments. Educators include professors of entrepreneurship, finance and sustainability consulting, offering one-on-one coaching over video calls, in writing and over the phone. This course is self-paced online.
Duration and expected study time: Five weeks, with four to six hours per week.
Certificate granted: Participants receive an International Institute for Management Development (IMD) certificate upon completion.
Additional options: Alumni who complete the requirements of two additional online programs in the leadership, strategy, innovation or digital business learning tracks can receive an online advanced certificate.
Estimated cost: ₣1,950 CHF, or about $2,496. IMD alumni receive a discount.
4. Sustainability from MIT Professional Education
Course details
This certificate is meant for C-suite executives, mid-level managers and technical professionals. Participants learn about the data-driven tools that convert program-acquired knowledge into real-world, actionable strategies in their organizations. The program focuses on key topics, such as climate change mitigation, innovation and implementation of sustainability practices through infrastructure and industry.
Educators include professors, research scientists and lecturers in architecture, materials science and systems engineering, as well as directors from MIT's Climate and Sustainability Consortium. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: 9-12 months, with eight to 10 hours per week.
Certificate granted: Participants must complete five courses and an elective to receive a certificate of completion and CEUs.
Estimated cost: $15,950, with a $150 application fee.
5. Sustainability Strategies: Develop Initiatives to Transform Your Business by Stanford University
Course details
The program is for leaders who drive or want to drive business or organizational strategies and individuals who want to transition from a legacy business model to an innovative approach. Across eight modules, students will explore key topics such as climate change, value chains and the circular economy.
Study materials include videos, webinars, live sessions with faculty, applicable, real-world assignments, networking, case studies with cross-industry examples and relevant feedback. Educators include practicing business leadership, climate change and economic development professors. This course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: Eight weeks, with four to six hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students receive a certificate of achievement and leave with a completed capstone project to jump-start sustainability efforts at their organizations.
Estimated cost: $2,950.
6. Sustainability by University of California Los Angeles Extension
Course details
The program is meant for purpose-driven working professionals in interdisciplinary fields such as environmental affairs, business development and corporate or product sustainability. Students learn about topics like environmental systems and the business aspects of sustainability, while acquiring skills in fields such as consulting, green investments and public policy.
Educators include field experts and practitioners in sustainability. UCLA Extension offers online and in-person options.
Duration and expected study time: One year, but it can be completed in as little as six months.
Certificate granted: Students must complete three required courses and two electives with a C grade or better to receive a certificate.
Estimated cost: $4,500 for the program tuition, with a $200 application fee and an estimated $383 for textbooks and materials.
7. Leading Sustainability: High Impact Leadership by University of Cambridge
Course details
This course is designed to improve the leadership skills of those seeking to unite teams and engage stakeholders. Across eight modules, students learn the skills to lead with influence in any business setting, while investigating different leadership styles, frameworks and best practices.
Educators include active sustainability leadership practitioners. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: Eight weeks, excluding orientation, with eight to 10 hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students must meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook, available upon registration, to receive a digital certification of completion from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Estimated cost: $3,161.
4 sustainability credentials for professionals
A credential showcases professional qualifications earned through a program of study and often has more in-depth requirements than a certificate. Credentials often require higher education, extensive professional experience or a combination of both.
Students must successfully pass any required exams before they can use accompanying professional titles.
1. Certified Climate Change Professional by the Association of Climate Change Officers
Program details
The Certified Climate Change Professional (CC-P) program is geared toward working professionals in corporations, professional service firms and nonprofit organizations.
Students explore a range of topics, including climate science, vulnerability assessment, greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water management, governance, law and policy, materiality, risk management and economics. They can choose to learn on their own using self-study resources that require approximately 20 hours, or they can attend a live online training class totaling 30 hours.
Course instructors include practicing educators in finance, legal studies and business ethics. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English, but subtitles in various languages are available.
According to the program's requirements, CC-P applicants must have an approved combination of education and professional experience. Applicants should also have 14 hours of approved elective training oriented toward executive or professional development.
Once they're ready to earn their CC-P, students follow a five-step application process and must successfully complete four 75-minute exams. The Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) offers both self-study and live study options, along with relevant study and exam-prep materials.
Duration and expected study time: Four weeks, with 10 hours per week.
Credential granted: The CC-P credential is valid for six years, but ACCO requires annual renewal. To renew the credential, alumni must have completed eight hours of CEUs and committed 40 hours to advancing the climate change field.
Estimated cost: The nonmember cost is $495 for the self-study program. The nonmember cost is $745 for the live online prep program. Both programs have discounts available to ACCO members.
2. Sustainability and Climate Risk by Global Association of Risk Professionals
Program details
This professional credential is geared toward business, government, and nonprofit professionals, as well as those interested in a career change into climate change, risk management or sustainability. Applicants must know the guidelines, methodologies and frameworks used to anticipate and manage climate risk.
The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) provides study materials, a sustainability and climate risk (SCR) eBook and a full-length practice exam upon registration. An advisory committee of CEOs, chief risk officers and managing directors developed the curriculum. Students must pass a 3-hour, 80-question multiple-choice test in American English. Exams are offered twice a year in April and October.
Duration and expected study time: Students must pass the in-person, proctored, computer-based, three-hour exam, with a suggested test prep time of 100-150 hours.
Credential granted: Applicants receive a certificate of completion and their SCR designation.
Estimated cost: Standard nonmembers pay an exam fee of $750 for standard registration. GARP offers early registration discounts, plus GARP, Financial Risk Manager, Risk and AI and Energy Risk Professional discounts.
3. Sustainability Excellence Associate by Sustainability Excellence
Program details
This introductory-level professional credential is for aspiring and active sustainability professionals who have sufficient education and training to pass a test on basic knowledge and understand key sustainability concepts. A study guide, available for an additional fee, walks readers through the core sustainability concepts tested by the Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) exam.
Flashcards, exam practice questions and an exam study bundle are also available. The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) provides study materials. Candidates must pass a 75-question, proctored, computer-based test in English.
Duration and expected study time: One month.
Credential granted: Alumni earn a Green Business Certification Inc. certificate of completion and their SEA credential. It lasts for two years, and renewal requires proof of ongoing professional development.
Additional options: An SEA credential is one of the prerequisites to pursue a Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) credential. SEP candidates must demonstrate proficiency in key areas, including sustainability concepts, stakeholder engagement, strategy planning and implementation and adjusting sustainability plans, among other requirements.
Estimated cost: There is a $350 one-time exam fee and $150 renewal fee every two years for nonmembers. Active U.S. Green Building Council and ISSP members and students are eligible for discounts.
4. Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional by International Supply Chain Education Alliance
Program details
This course is designed for supply chain or sustainability professionals at any level. Across three courses, the end goal of the Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional (CSSCP) program is to educate all professionals on how to maximize supply chain success, protect the future of the planet and maintain sustainability without sacrificing supply chain efficiency. Learners need 24 classroom hours led by an experienced supply chain management (SCM) expert.
Applicants must also take a 30-minute, proctored, 25-question online practice exam. They receive a study guide with all slides and exercises, along with a four-hour program review, as part of their fees. Students must take the final exam on the last day of the workshop, but have 30 days to take it using the International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA) I-proctor service within 30 days of the final workshop. This is a hybrid program. The content is in English, Spanish and German.
Duration: Applicants must pass an online, 180-minute, proctored, 150-question multiple-choice final exam with a grade of 70% or better.
Certificate granted: Students receive a Level I ISCEA certification with a passing grade of 70% or higher. Certification renewal is due every three years.
Additional options: Students can obtain a full CSSCP certification by completing the Level II: Sustainability Project requirements within six months of passing the CSSCP exam. Recertification is required every three years.
Estimated cost: $1,600 for the workshop and exam, with an additional $600 for the special project.
8 ESG reporting certificates
Organizations are under pressure from employees, stakeholders and customers to assess and report their carbon footprints. Many governments and governing bodies require mandatory ESG reporting.
Business leaders have various ESG frameworks to choose from, so they must choose the right path for themselves or their employees. These certifications can help individuals report on carbon footprints using established ESG frameworks.
1. GRI Professional Certification Program - Route A by GRI Academy
Course details
This program targets sustainability professionals who want to specialize in implementing the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. Over four modules, the course covers the requirements of practicing GRI reporting using the universal GRI standards.
The modules include reporting with the GRI Standards, reporting on human rights with the GRI Standards and integrating the SDGs into sustainability reporting. The course is self-study online. The content is available in both English and Spanish.
Duration and expected study time: 13 hours, with one year of access to the content.
Certificate granted: Students receive a two-year GRI Certified Sustainability Professional credential after successfully passing the one-hour, proctored, online exam. Alumni can renew their credentials within two years by earning CEUs.
Additional options: Students seeking a more interactive experience can pursue the GRI Professional Certification Program - Route B through one of GRI Academy's certified training partners. Route B allows for local context, peer-to-peer learning, networking opportunities, practical learning and access to a trainer, compared to Route A's self-study course.
Students could also pursue Route ESRS, which covers the European Sustainability Reporting Standards.
Estimated cost: €1,250 or about $1,475, including exam fees.
2. Sustainability Governance Certificate Program by Competent Boards
Course details
This program is designed to teach board-level students how to balance long-term corporate planning with emerging risks. Students learn a strategic approach to governance to help their organizations remain resilient and create value.
The course includes 87 lessons across 12 interactive modules. Educators are part of Competent Boards' network of faculty, which includes managing directors, chief investment officers, senior advisors and journalists. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: 12.5 hours, available on-demand at the student's pace.
Certificate granted: Participants receive a digital certificate of completion and are positioned to earn the Global Competent Boards Designation and certification (GCB.D).
Additional options: Alumni interested in further study can take other Competent Boards programs: the Climate and Nature Certificate program, the AI from the top: Strategic and responsible AI leadership course or GCB.D.
Estimated cost: $5,000.
3. ESG Specialization by the Corporate Finance Institute
Course details
This specialization targets professionals with knowledge of or experience in ESG analysis, with an emphasis on practicing financial professionals. Across 11 required courses and three practice labs, students learn about topics such as finance, reporting, investing and business strategy. The practice labs cover topics such as materiality assessments and the development of an ESG policy.
Educators include chief risk officers, vice presidents in commercial banking and ESG practitioners. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: 30-35 hours. Each lab is around 20-30 minutes, and each course is approximately one hour. The ESG Integration & Financial Analysis course is over three hours.
Certificate granted: Students receive an ESG certificate.
Estimated cost: $497 per year for self-study using CFI's on-demand learning library or $847 per year for full immersion, meaning students receive one-on-one course guidance over email, personalized reviews and a resume and cover letter review service, among additional benefits.
4. Strategic ESG: Creating Sustainable Value by WholeWorks
Course details
This course is not publicly available, but interested leaders can contact WholeWorks, a business management consultancy based in Manchester, Vt., that leads the course, to bring the experience to their companies.
It is suited for aspiring and practicing leaders and professionals in sustainability and ESG who are at least three years post-university graduation. This course is meant to connect sustainability to business strategy and encourage positive ESG results through practical study based on global, team-based simulation.
When this course was publicly available, participants had to complete all learning activities, be active and complete a specific capstone project to apply at their organizations. Facilitators included authors, university professors and CSOs. It was self-study online with mandatory virtual participation in one-hour team meetings twice a week for the first five weeks. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: Six weeks, with six hours per week, when it was publicly available.
Certificate granted: When it was publicly available, students who successfully met all requirements received a digital certificate of achievement.
Estimated cost: Interested parties can contact WholeWorks for this information.
5. Driving Sustainability from the Boardroom by IMD
Course details
This course is aimed at stakeholders motivated to steer an organization's overall sustainability and ESG strategy, such as current or aspiring board members, chairpersons or board secretaries.
Coursework focuses on ESG literacy, stewardship and crisis management. IMD collaborates with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to teach the course. This is a hybrid course. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: 12 days, with self-paced online learning at 30 minutes per day for ten days and two on-campus days in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Certificate granted: Participants receive a certificate of completion.
Additional options: The certificate of completion can be applied to an IMD board diploma.
Estimated cost: ₣7,500, or about $9,591.
6. ISB I -- Advisor Level by the International Association for Sustainable Economy
Course details
This certificate is geared toward active and aspiring business professionals interested in sustainability and ESG. The five-module preparatory course gives candidates the basic knowledge and understanding of sustainability and ESG in a business context.
The course is self-paced online. The content is in English but is also available in various languages, including Portuguese and Spanish.
Duration and expected study time: Six weeks, with five hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students must comply with the International Association for Sustainable Economy (IASE) 4ES standards, sign the IASE code of ethics and pass the online exam to receive a certificate of completion and their International Sustainable Business (ISB) I -- Advisor Level credential.
Additional options: The certificate is valid for 12 months, after which an annual membership renewal fee of €75, or approximately $88, and 10 hours of continuing professional development are required. Students with advanced professional experience might want to explore IASE's ISB II -- Specialist Level certification.
Estimated cost: The preparatory courses are €550 or approximately $649. The exam itself is €150 or approximately $177.
7. SASB & TCFD Reporting by Sustainability Academy
Course details
This course is meant for active and aspiring sustainability professionals. Across seven modules, the course focuses on the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures frameworks.
Students receive an official SASB study guide for the Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting credential. Sustainability thought leaders, professors and trainers helped create the content, based on practical field experience. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: 20-25 hours across 45 days.
Certificate granted: Students earn a certificate of completion from the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE), accredited by the U.K. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certification Service.
Estimated cost: $590.
8. Sustainability (ESG) Reporting by Sustainability Academy
Course details
This course is for active and aspiring sustainability professionals. Over seven modules, students receive a comprehensive introduction to sustainability and ESG reporting by focusing on the importance of global legislation, GRI standards, stakeholder mapping and engagement and materiality assessments. It also offers an additional module for specific sectors, like energy, financial or construction industries.
The founder and president of the CSE developed the course. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration and expected study time: 20-25 hours across 45 days.
Certificate granted: Students receive a CSE-certified certificate upon completion.
Estimated cost: $545.
6 circular economy and supply chain sustainability certifications
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, organizations must green their supply chains -- and they need workers who understand how to do that.
As part of an overall sustainability strategy, organizations must create circular economy business models, which focus on designing products and using materials that can be reused and recirculated for as long as possible, in turn cutting down on e-waste, overall waste and emissions.
1. Circular Economy Professional (Foundational) by Circular Economy Alliance
Course details
This program is meant for students, recent graduates and those seeking a purpose-led career in circular economy principles. Across four modules, the course explores the fundamental concepts, terminology and methods that define the circular economy.
Study materials include interactive training sessions, knowledge checks, case studies, best practices, assessments, mobile access and exposure to a network of experts. A Circular Economy Alliance specialist and researcher with the Circular Economy Research Centre at École des ponts ParisTech leads the course. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English. Access to the course is available only for one year after purchase.
Duration and expected study time: 16 hours, to be completed within two months.
Certificate granted: Participants who successfully complete all four exams -- one at the end of each module -- earn a verifiable, blockchain-secured certificate.
Additional options: With additional requirements and fees, participants can apply the certificate's courses to Circular Economy Alliance's Circular Economy Manager (Advanced) and Circular Economy Specialist (High-Mastery) certificates.
Estimated cost: €385 or $454.
2. Circular Economy Trained by the Circular Economy Institute
Course details
This course is geared toward anyone who wants to learn about circular economy and business models. Across three modules, the course includes content about the circular economy through real-life examples in a case study format.
Study materials include mobile and TV access, 8.5 hours of video content, between-units activities and quizzes, 22 real examples of how to embed the circular economy, six case studies from real-world organizations implementing circularity, 50 related articles and resources and a recap eBook summarizing the content.
Educators include circular economy practitioners such as World Economic Forum board members, innovation managers and economists. The course is self-paced online. The content is available in English.
Duration and expected study time: 30 hours.
Certificate granted: Participants receive a CE Institute certificate and lifetime access to the course upon completion.
Additional options: Participants with more experience should consider the Circular Economy Advanced Practitioner certificate. CEI also offers Specialisms for sector-specific circular expertise. Some options include construction and fashion.
Estimated cost: £349 or approximately $412.
3. Sustainable Supply Chain Management by Sustainability Academy
Course details
This course is geared toward aspiring and practicing sustainability professionals. Across six modules, students learn about sustainable procurement and how to start a sustainable supply chain strategy by using appropriate platforms while complying with key ESG requirements. It also offers an additional module for specific sectors, like energy, financial or construction industries.
A focus on critical trends -- such as the circular economy, sustainable packaging and net-zero emissions -- is part of the curriculum. Sustainability thought leaders, professors and trainers with practical field experience created the course content. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English, but subtitles in various languages are available.
Duration and expected study time: 20-25 hours across 45 days.
Certificate granted: Alumni receive a Sustainable Supply Chain Management certification from CSE.
Estimated cost: $590.
4. Circular Economy and Sustainable Business by the University of Chicago
Course details
The program is designed for private- and public-sector professionals, as well as those in professional services. Across eight modules, individuals learn the fundamentals of the circular economy by exploring real-world applications of circularity and emerging best practices for managing environmental and social factors in circularity applications.
Study materials include live, interactive sessions, networking, and hands-on learning. A sustainable finance specialist leads the program. Self-paced online. The content is available in English.
Duration: Eight weeks.
Certificate granted: Students must successfully complete all eight modules to receive a digital badge, credentials and become part of the wider University of Chicago network.
Estimated cost: No longer listed, but was $2,500 in 2023.
5. Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies by University of Cambridge
Course details
This program is for business professionals who recognize the importance of integrating sustainability and circular economy fundamentals into their organizations' growth strategies. Across six modules, the program presents content on incorporating circular economy principles into new and existing sustainable strategies.
Study materials include module assessments in the form of assignments, video lectures, live webinars, Q&A sessions, live office hours and discussions. A practicing professor in financial economics and policy leads the course, with guest speakers including associate professors in finance. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration: Six weeks. Access to the course is available for one year after purchase.
Expected study time: Four to six hours per week.
Certificate granted: Students are scored as pass or no pass and must complete the required activities to earn the digital certificate from the Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education.
Additional options: This program can be applied to the completion of the Cambridge General Management Certificate of Achievement.
Estimated cost: £1,646, or approximately $2,234.
6. Sustainable Supply Chain Management by University of Cambridge
Course details
This course caters to sustainability experts, supply chain managers, strategic professionals, consultants and individuals employed in logistics and inventory management roles. In its eight modules, participants learn how to establish strong, productive and environmentally friendly supply chains.
Students must meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook, available at the start. Educators include sustainability leadership practitioners. The course is self-paced online. The content is in English.
Duration: Eight weeks, excluding orientation.
Expected study time: Seven to 10 hours per week.
Certificate granted: Alumni receive a digital certificate of completion from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, certified by the U.K. CPD Certification Service and accredited by ISCEA.
Estimated cost: $3,184.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2023 and has been updated to include current information on sustainability certifications and courses.
Michaela Goss is a senior site editor for the IT Strategy team at TechTarget.
Guilliean Pacheco, MFA, is a former associate site editor for TechTarget Editorial's CIO, ERP and Sustainability & ESG sites.
