In today’s climate, understanding greenhouse gas emissions is not just a social responsibility but integral to any good, responsible business. From startups to global conglomerates, sustainable development must be considered across all operations.
We’ve rounded up the best carbon accounting courses available, ranging from quick primer articles to in-person certified programmes. These courses equip professionals with the skills to measure, report, and reduce emissions in line with global standards.
Whether you’re a first-time learner or an esteemed sustainability leader, the courses offer the real-world tools for effective environmental management and long-term carbon reduction, whatever your level or industry.
Why Take a Course for Carbon Accounting?
Whether you’re an individual seeking professional development, a company meeting tightened regulations, or an organisation aiming to improve sustainability credentials, a carbon accounting course can benefit you.
If you want a grasp of your carbon footprint, these courses would be a great place to start. They offer invaluable knowledge in understanding how much you’re contributing to GHG emissions, and the reduction steps you can take, from small swaps to strategic supply chain restructuring.
A career in ESG is no longer a niche—with increasing regulation and rising investor pressure, it’s now a competitive edge. To understand ESG is to boost your career by proving you’re ahead of the curve on climate literacy.
While making a powerful climate impact, by taking this course you are enabled to future-proof your business, avoid greenwashing risks, and build long-term trust with stakeholders.
How We Chose These Courses
In selecting the 7 best carbon accounting courses, we had a specific set of criteria to ensure they’re worth your time. We’ve chosen a broad range of courses that vary in delivery style, but are much alike in credibility.
Primary criteria is Scope 1, 2 and 3 coverage in line with the GHG Protocol to ensure measuring efforts are comprehensive and reporting is standardised.
We’ve cut courses that we found overly academic or jargonic, encouraging accessible learning. Any marketing-heavy platforms just trying to sell you things were cut.
We’ve included a range of courses from short-form click-through content to comprehensive, in-depth and certified courses for participants with pre-existing concepts. Our blog structure makes it easy to browse through and quickly find what suits you.
Carbon Accounting Courses
The very first corporate carbon footprinting tools emerged in 2003, such as the GHG Protocol’s calculation tools. This was unprecedented, and companies that wanted to voluntarily disclose emissions began using spreadsheets and early calculators for baseline tracking and reporting.
Carbon accounting still isn’t as mainstream as it should be, with regulations in countries like the UK only falling upon companies that meet certain size or turnover thresholds. That being said, regulations are crucially strictening, such as the CSRD directive in the EU.
As more and more companies set net-zero or ESG targets, various carbon accounting software are available for a range of budgets and sectors, and carbon accounting courses are ideal for understanding the data behind these goals.
Climate Change Literacy: Fundamentals of Carbon Accounting for Engineers
Established in 1835, Engineers Ireland is one of Ireland’s largest bodies with over 25,000 engineers. They maintain standards and support members’ professional development.
Their course is for engineers and those in the construction industry disciplines (i.e. architecture, civil and structural engineering, surveying and various trades).
They delve into the fundamentals of carbon accounting rather than the advanced, but offer a thorough understanding of everything from current scientific consensus to application of standards.
- Length: This is a 1-day course.
- Cost: No price mentioned; enquire directly for confirmation.
- Certificate: CPD Credit: 6.5 hours; Competence/s: 1.
- Key topics covered: The course covers key types of greenhouse gas (GHG), their sources, how they’re measured, and introduces standard carbon footprint calculation methods.
- Teaching format: Delivered as an online classroom session, combining presentations with interactive discussions.
- Why we like it: It delivers a comprehensive overview of carbon accounting, equipping relevant attendees with the skillset needed to address contextual climate challenges effectively.
True North Sustainability – Carbon Management Training (UK)
Based in Newcastle, True North Sustainability specialise in environmental consultancy, with specific focuses such as ISO 14001 consultancy or training in carbon management.
Their courses equip individuals with a set of valuable carbon knowledge, including carbon management, reporting, footprinting, and reduction.
This course is regularly attended by people like directors, sustainability managers and environmental managers, but applicable for employees from any industry wishing to kickstart their carbon management understanding.
- Length: This is a one-day course.
- Cost: The course fee is £225.
- Certificate: Participants receive a Professional Certificate of Achievement upon successful completion.
- Key topics covered: Covers carbon footprinting, management planning, emissions reporting, and strategic reduction frameworks.
- Teaching format: The format involves a mixture of interactive sessions with practical application in line with theoretical knowledge. Moreover, group discussions and case studies provide further learning.
- Why we like it: The course equips attendees with actionable methods to achieve and deliver a range of carbon targets within an organisation.
Tunley Environmental — Carbon Accounting Course
Based in Leeds, Tunley Environmental is a sustainability consultancy with a range of forward-thinking services including Net Zero Strategies, Biodiversity Plans, Sustainability Trading, and Carbon Reduction Assessment.
One of many, their Carbon Accounting Course is ideal for sustainability and environmental professionals, plus those involved in corporate responsibility, finance professionals, supply chain managers and consultants.
- Length: This is a one-day course.
- Cost: Free of charge.
- Certificate: Not specified.
- Key topics covered: Tunley’s Carbon Accounting Course provides an in-depth overview of the essential knowledge needed to understand and reduce carbon footprints, following global standards to ensure attendees from a range of industries can make a significant impact.
- Teaching format: Delivered in a virtual classroom with 6 hour-long lessons over the course of a day.
- Why we like it: Led by Phd-level scientists, the course equips students with practical knowledge built from hands-on learning. It teaches the latest standards like ISO 14064 and emerging requirements.
Website: https://www.tunley-environmental.com/carbon-accounting-course
Normative – Carbon Accounting Explained
Based in Stockholm, Normative sells a carbon accounting software built on science. The company was founded in 2014, and expanded significantly in 2024 by acquiring Eivee. Their platform automates Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in granular, activity-based detail, rather than broader industry averages.
It’s not a traditional course, but its clarity and brevity make it an excellent entry point. Normative’s article is a clear and concise primer that readers can easily digest and be solidly equipped with the broad foundations of carbon accounting in very little time.
- Length: Short-form, quick insight article.
- Cost: Free of charge.
- Certificate: No certificate provided due to the short nature of the content.
- Key topics covered: A concise introduction to aid initial understanding of carbon accounting.
- Teaching format: An online article illustrated by examples and littered with clear explanations.
- Why we like it: Allows people new to the concept to gain a quick overview of the core principles of carbon accounting. Provides the foundations of carbon accounting in a simple and accessible way.
Website: https://normative.io/insight/carbon-accounting-explained/
Chartered Certifications – Certified Carbon Management Leader (CCML™)
Headquartered in Singapore, the Chartered Institute of Professional Certifications offers online programs for furthering professional development. Courses range from financial modelling to environmental impact assessments, some of them CPD certified.
Suitable for a broad range of professionals, the modules include carbon literacy, Scopes 1-3 and other terms, sustainable finance, corporate action, climate communication and more.
- Length: 10 hours of online content, taken at the attendee’s pace.
- Cost: £390.
- Certificate: After completing the full program and passing the exam, they receive the Certified Carbon Management Leader (CCML™) title.
- Key topics covered: Carbon accounting, policies, reduction methods, standards for reporting, and more in-depth topics.
- Teaching format: On-demand online content with interactive modules, case studies, and practical uses backed by theory. 10 modules, followed by an examination.
- Why we like it: The comprehensive program challenges its participants through a long course and complex exam, awarding them with an esteemed and verified certificate.
Website: https://charteredcertifications.com/learning/courses/ccml
IBM – Carbon Accounting Basics
Founded in 1911, IBM has pioneered technological innovations in computing, AI, the cloud, and software. Across more than 170 countries, IBM dominates the tech world, offering a range of carbon accounting tools and support through its Environmental Intelligence Suite.
This is for you if you’ve got an hour to dive into the key concepts of carbon accounting. The online article combines textual elements with video content in a structured approach that breaks down the principles in a digestible way. It’s a fantastic starting point for professionals exploring carbon accounting at an early stage.
- Length: Around 1 hour.
- Cost: Free of charge.
- Certificate: No certificate provided due to the short nature of the course.
- Key topics covered: Introduces carbon accounting’s core principles, and the foundations to understanding the measurement of GHG emissions from Scopes 1 to 3.
- Teaching format: An online module with interactive elements and text, taken at the attendee’s pace.
- Why we like it: Without requiring an immense time commitment, the free course clearly educates the basics of carbon accounting—easily preparing attendees for further study.
Website: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/carbon-accounting
GEP Environmental – Carbon Footprinting and Reporting (IEMA Certified Course)
Established in 2004, GEP Environmental is a consultancy based in the UK covering environmental services such as ISO management systems plus energy services such as efficiency optimisation.
This course is great for a wide range of professionals, providing all the knowledge needed for individuals to calculate, capture, analyse, reduce and report on a businesses’ carbon footprint.
- Length: This is a one-day course.
- Cost: £295 for virtual open courses; £395 for in-person open courses.
- Certificate: IEMA Certified; contributes to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Key topics covered: The course offers a deep overview of GHG and climate change, covering effective structures of carbon accounting from monitoring and reducing, tracking, and reporting.
- Teaching format: Virtually, attendees can join interactive sessions with group discussions and educational exercises. In-person, in-depth training occurs at set venues, offering both networking and hands-on skills.
- Why we like it: Whether online or in-person, the course is accessible, comprehensive, and only takes a day. Delivering a recognised certification, attendees are equipped with credible skills.
Website: https://www.gepenv.co.uk/training/our-courses/carbon-footprinting-and-reporting-iema-certified-course
Get Carbon Accounting Software
At Gaia, we offer one of the strongest AI-powered carbon accounting software solutions for UK businesses.
The Gaia Carbon Accounting Software is a powerful, UK-based solution designed for comprehensive carbon management across industries. With flexible, scalable pricing starting at £1,980 annually, Gaia’s platform adapts seamlessly to diverse sectors like manufacturing, retail, finance, and technology.
It’s aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol framework as the leading industry standard, including the annual UK GHG conversion factors provided by DEFRA and DESNZ. This allows you to calculate your carbon emissions while ensuring best practices and unparalleled accuracy.
Gaia offers granular Scope 1-3 tracking, down to complex Scope 3 supply chain emissions. Following the GHG protocol: Scope 1 covers direct emissions, Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from energy, and Scope 3 includes other indirect emissions across the value chain. This enables corporate transparency and shows stakeholders you’re socially responsible for your carbon footprint.
Our AI-powered data collection features eliminate the admin burden of gathering and reporting data, offering the easiest way to measure emissions. Generate compliance reports like the SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Report) in one click, and track your reduction progress with out-of-the-box templates.
You can integrate Gaia seamlessly with your existing systems—from QuickBooks, Sage, and NetSuite to your favourite apps—or import from a spreadsheet for a smooth experience. AI-enhanced analytics deliver fast, precise measurement and help you make data-driven decisions that boost sustainability efforts.
Whether you’re setting emission reduction targets or meeting regulatory requirements, Gaia gives UK businesses everything they need to reduce emissions and maximise sustainability performance.
To learn more, visit here or contact info@gaiacompany.io.
More Information
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/carbon-accounting
https://normative.io/insight/carbon-accounting-explained
https://www.aicpa-cima.com/cpe-learning/webcast/foundational-carbon-accounting