Advice provided by: Claire Moloney, LEED Green Associate, Cornell University

Share

Companies Call for Carbon Emissions Reduction

Ninety-two of the world’s banks, asset managers, insurance and pension funds – who together, manage about $10 trillion – came together to write a letter to 415 of the world’s largest polluters. This letter, which is part of the nonprofit “Carbon Disclosure Project”, asked these utilities, manufacturers, retailers, and other companies to cut their carbon emissions in order to prevent future costs.

The 92 companies claim that future climate policies will cost heavy emitters – big time – down the road. According to Bloomberg, Al Gore said that “investors who ignore the cost of emitting carbon are at risk of making a mistake akin to those who invested in subprime mortgages”.

If these polluting entities heed this warning, they may require carbon management. Current and aspiring carbon management professionals have much to gain from accreditation, according to a study.

Green Jobs: Certification and Carbon Management

Individuals looking for a career in the carbon management industry will need the appropriate accreditation to set them apart in a sector that's heavily influenced by government regulations and the knowledge of best practices. A 2011 survey highlighted the importance of credentials for environmental jobs hopefuls that can prove an applicants competence in these areas.

The Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI) published the 2010 Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change Workforce Needs Assessment Survey. In it, the organization found that more than half of carbon management professionals currently working in the industry feel their peers are not as qualified as they are.

Specifically, the report noted that 42.3 percent and 9.1 percent of their colleagues were "moderately" or "severely" incompetent in their responsibilities, respectively.

"Industry impressions reveal a challenging landscape. They show that practitioners' opinions are divided on work quality and client expectations. In addition, the majority of responding climate change professionals question the competency of their peers," said the report.

Professional Certification for Carbon Managers

To avoid such scrutiny from their peers and employers and put themselves in a better position to succeed, professionals looking to enter the field of carbon management will need accreditation from relevant organizations and governing bodies.

GHGMI has created an accreditation program for carbon management professionals that it says aligns with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) guidelines. It includes certificates such as Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting, GHG Offset Projects and GHG Verification.

The Association of Energy Engineers also offers certifications in carbon management. For example, the Certified Carbon and GHG Reduction Manager (CRM) program certifies professionals in the carbon reduction field.

Related Advice:

• Carbon Reduction in U.S. Power Plants May Add Green Jobs



• Preventing Global Warming: Will China's Carbon Footprint Ruin Our Hard Work?



• Green Companies Focus on CSR, Creating Green Jobs