Carbon Accounting & Carbon Offsetting

CONCEPT NOTE

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON CARBON ACCOUNTING & CARBON OFFSETTING.

COURSE BACKGROUND

The global shift toward sustainability and climate resilience has placed carbon accounting and offsetting at the forefront of organizational strategy. As pressure intensifies for businesses and institutions to measure, manage, and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, there is a growing need for professionals equipped with both the technical acumen and strategic insight to lead these efforts.

This course, offered by the Environmental Capacities and Sustainability Institute (ECAS), provides a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to carbon accounting and carbon offsetting. Designed for professionals across sectors, it develops the critical knowledge and applied skills required to implement effective carbon management systems within organizations.

Participants will be guided through the core principles of GHG emissions, including their sources, the concept of global warming potential, and the use of emission factors. The course emphasizes how to quantify emissions using internationally recognized standards such as the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064.1, and how to build a carbon footprint that reflects an organization’s value chain and operational boundaries.

Beyond measurement, the course explores reduction strategies, the design and evaluation of carbon offset projects, and the structure and operation of emissions trading systems. As the carbon market evolves rapidly—becoming increasingly complex and risk-prone—participants will also learn how to critically assess offsets, manage portfolios, and navigate the dynamics of carbon pricing and compliance frameworks like Australia’s Emissions Reduction Fund.

Whether you’re responsible for sustainability reporting, assessing carbon risk, or driving environmental performance, this course equips you with the tools and confidence to integrate carbon management into broader business strategy—and to do so with clarity, credibility, and impact.

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the science of carbon emissions and global warming potential.
2. Apply international standards in measuring and reporting GHG emissions.
3. Calculate an accurate carbon footprint for an organization.
4. Evaluate and implement carbon emission reduction strategies.
5. Understand the structure and evolution of the carbon market and emissions trading schemes.
6. Develop and manage carbon offsetting projects and portfolios.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course combines science, strategy, and practical business tools to ensure effective carbon accounting and offsetting. You will:

• Gain a foundational understanding of global warming and GHG emissions.
• Learn the maths and standards behind carbon footprint calculations.
• Identify emission sources across your organization’s value chain.
• Apply standards like the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064.1 for reporting.
• Explore carbon emission reduction strategies and financial evaluations.
• Understand carbon pricing mechanisms and offset markets.
• Strategically manage and trade carbon offsets in dynamic global systems.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is designed for professionals and decision-makers who are directly or indirectly responsible for measuring, managing, or reporting greenhouse gas emissions within their organizations. It is particularly relevant to sustainability officers, environmental managers, compliance and reporting personnel, corporate social responsibility (CSR) specialists, and energy auditors. Additionally, it will benefit finance and procurement professionals assessing the financial implications of carbon pricing or seeking to integrate carbon metrics into investment and operational strategies. Individuals evaluating or using carbon accounting software without a strong foundational understanding will gain clarity on both the technical and strategic applications of these tools. The course is also ideal for consultants, project developers, and policy advisors working in climate policy, environmental compliance, or sustainable development, as well as anyone involved in purchasing or managing carbon offsets in an evolving global carbon market.

TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

TRAINING MODULES

No	Module	Details
1.	Understanding Global Warming and Carbon Emissions	This foundational module introduces participants to the science of climate change, the greenhouse effect, and the role of carbon emissions in global warming. It sets the stage for understanding the urgency and necessity of accurate carbon measurement and mitigation. Topics covered: What is global warming and how does it impact our planet? Understanding carbon emissions and their link to climate change Overview of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and their sources The concept of Global Warming Potential (GWP)
2.	Carbon Accounting Principles and Calculations	This module provides participants with the technical knowledge needed to perform accurate carbon accounting. It covers key standards, calculation methods, and the application of emission factors for creating organizational carbon footprints. Topics covered: Introduction to emission factors and how they are calculated Mathematical methods for carbon emission calculations Identifying which emissions to include from your value chain (Scope 1, 2, and 3) Building a carbon footprint in line with GHG Protocol and AS/ISO 14064.1-2006 Applying Climate Active rules in footprint assessments
3.	Carbon Emission Reduction and Energy Efficiency Strategies	This module focuses on developing practical and cost-effective strategies to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and support long-term sustainability goals within organizations. Topics Covered: Developing carbon emission reduction strategies Conducting and reviewing energy audits Evaluating emission reduction initiatives using financial tools (e.g., IRR analysis) Building the business case for emission reductions
4.	The Carbon Market and Offsetting Mechanisms	Participants will explore the evolution and current structure of the global carbon market, including mechanisms like carbon credits and trading schemes. This module clarifies how carbon offsets work and how to select credible offset options. Topics Covered: History and evolution of carbon markets (Kyoto Protocol and beyond) Overview of Australia’s carbon pricing mechanism and the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) Players and structure in the global carbon market Buying and selling offsets and managing offset portfolios Strategic selection of offsets: risks and quality assurance Introduction to other instruments such as LRECs and SRECs
5.	Project Development and Methodologies for Carbon Offsetting	This module dives into how carbon offset projects are conceptualized, developed, and evaluated. Participants learn about methodologies, verification, and certification procedures used to ensure environmental integrity. Topics Covered: Understanding carbon offset project cycles Methodology development for offsetting Verification and validation processes How to assess and avoid unreliable or low-quality offset projects
6.	Compliance, Reporting, and Software Tools	A practical module that equips participants with the knowledge to meet reporting obligations, utilize carbon accounting software, and avoid pitfalls associated with misinformation and unverified data. Topics Covered: Navigating compliance frameworks like NGERs (overview level) Using carbon accounting software as a business intelligence tool Monitoring, tracking, and reporting GHG emissions Understanding the “why, how, and so what” of carbon data in reporting and decision-making

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.