Starting This Fall: Learn to Measure Sustainability

> Apply now through the online application form

Columbia University’s Earth Institute and the School of Continuing Education are proud to announce the launch of the Certification of Professional Achievement in Sustainability Analytics program. This new certification has been designed to address the need to formally train managers in specific quantitative and technical skills central to practicing sustainability.

Upon completion of this program, students will become practitioners, possessing the knowledge and tools to track sustainability indicators, analyze and interpret data, and report upon the findings to industry, nonprofit and government decision makers. The certification focuses on key topics in reporting, accounting, metrics and indices, and monitoring procedures. Students who complete the certification will have a strong framework that can be used to benchmark performance against financial and environmental indicators.

“The demand for sustainability professionals with specialized training in the development and use of metrics and quantitative analysis is growing,” says Steve Cohen, program director. “Any student who has taken a management course with me over the last 20 years has heard me say ‘What gets measured gets done.’ This certification provides students with the skills necessary to precisely measure an organization’s sustainability and to evaluate, develop and manage future sustainability initiatives.”

The certification requires students to successfully complete four courses on topics related to the identification, measurement, analysis, and reporting of sustainability indicators. Student can choose courses from the following offerings:

Fall 2012

• Sustainability Metrics
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Sustainability Management
• Energy Efficiency: Energy Analysis
• Decision Models and Management

Spring 2013

• Green Accounting
• Life Cycle Analysis: the Product Standard
• Carbon Accounting: the Corporate Standard
• Sustainability Communication Strategy and Reporting

The deadline by which to apply for fall 2012 admission is August 1. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible. To learn more about the Certification of Professional Achievement in Sustainability Analytics and the admissions process, please RSVP to the Information Session being held on Monday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Lerner Hall. To apply to the program, please complete an online application form.

For more information about the Certification of Professional Achievement in Sustainability Analytics, please contact Allison Ladue, Assistant Director, at aladue@ei.columbia.edu.