Sustainability / ESG courses

This course is structured in 4 modules and has been developed by SGS to provide Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change practitioners with the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake a verification of a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory developed in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2018 using the verification standard ISO 14064-3:2019. COURSE CONTENT                                                                                                   Relevant ISO standardsThe preparation of a GHG Statement in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14064-1:2018The verification and validation of a GHG Statement in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14064-3:2019

Greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting is a critical component of ESG and sustainability efforts worldwide. As organizations increasingly adopt accounting principles, frameworks, and regulations, understanding how to create reliable GHG emissions inventories ("carbon footprints") and develop effective mitigation plans has never been more important. This course covers the essential methodologies of the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1:2018 to help organizations set reduction targets, achieve emissions reductions, and move toward net-zero operations and supply chains.It is recommended that participants have prior knowledge of ISO 14064: Greenhouse Gases to maximize the benefits of this training.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of ESG & Sustainability PerformancePlease click here for the Fundamentals of ESG Sustainability PerformanceSGS's newly updated set of “ESG/Sustainability” training modules are designed to help professionals in multiple roles across organizations identify material issues, measure and manage those issues effectively, and disclose performance to key stakeholders in a way that drives business value.ESG Reporting: For Communications is for any reporting on ESG/sustainability progress or if you want to understand how ESG/sustainability progress is successfully reported to various stakeholders of the organization.This training aims to enhance your awareness and understanding of ESG/sustainability communication, internal and external, mandatory and voluntary, stages of communication, greenwashing risks, tools for building trust, frameworks and standards, and year-round schedule of disclosure for various stakeholders of your organization.Qualified instructors share their expertise to boost your understanding and capabilities with the latest developments in the alignment of various ESG/sustainability business drivers and implementation strategies.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of ESG & Sustainability PerformancePlease click here for the Fundamentals of ESG Sustainability PerformanceSGS's newly updated set of “ESG/Sustainability” training modules are designed to help professionals in multiple roles across organizations identify material issues, measure and manage those issues effectively, and disclose performance to key stakeholders in a way that drives business value.ESG Strategy: For Leadership is for any employee wanting to understand how ESG strategy can be shaped within their organization.This training aims to enhance your awareness and understanding of ESG/sustainability governance, stakeholder engagement, materiality assessment, and setting ESG/sustainability strategy for your organization.Qualified instructors share their expertise to boost your understanding and capabilities with the latest developments in the alignment of various ESG/sustainability business drivers and implementation strategies.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of ESG & Sustainability PerformancePlease click here for the Fundamentals of ESG Sustainability PerformanceSGS's newly updated set of “ESG/Sustainability” training modules are designed to help professionals in multiple roles across organizations identify material issues, measure and manage those issues effectively, and disclose performance to key stakeholders in a way that drives business value.ESG Execution: For Implementation is for any employee implementing ESG/sustainability initiatives or wanting to understand how ESG/sustainability initiatives are successfully implemented within their organization.This training aims to enhance your awareness and understanding of ESG/sustainability governance, stakeholder engagement, materiality assessment, and setting ESG/sustainability strategy for your organization.Qualified instructors share their expertise to boost your understanding and capabilities with the latest developments in the alignment of various ESG/sustainability business drivers and implementation strategies.

The objective of this course is to provide learners with an understanding of the current changes from ISO 14001:2015 to ISO 14001:2026, to be able to maintain compliance with an existing Environmental Management System (EMS).Course DetailsDuration: Half dayAccreditation: SGS certificate of attendance upon completionPrior KnowledgeThere is no prior knowledge expected for this course.Course Content▪ ISO 14001:2026 updates and variations to ISO 14001:2015▪ Introduction of modernised terminology and the “Harmonized Structure”

The objective of this course is to provide learners with an overview of the purpose and requirements of ISO 14001:2026.However, this course does not address ISO 14001:2026 in detail.Course detailsDuration: 1 dayAccreditation: SGS certificate of attendance upon completionPrior KnowledgeBefore starting this course, you are expected to have the following prior knowledge:▪ Management Systems - understand the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.▪ Knowledge of the concepts of environmental management and the relationship between an organisation’s activities,  products and services and environmental impacts.▪ Commonly used environmental management terms and definitions, as given in ISO 14001:2026.▪ The requirements of ISO 14001:2026.Course ContentIntroduction to the ISO 14000 Series of Management System StandardsISO 14001:2026 Overview and Clause 4ISO 14001:2026 – Clauses 5, 6 and 7ISO 14001:2026 – Clause 8ISO 14001:2026 – Clauses 9 and 10

The objective of this course is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to perform an internal audit of part of an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on ISO 14001:2026, report on the effective implementation and maintenance of the managementsystem in accordance with ISO 19011 and to contribute to the continual improvement of the management system.Course DetailsDuration: 2 DaysAccreditation: SGS certificate of attendance upon completionPrior KnowledgeBefore starting this course, learners are expected to have the following prior knowledge:Management systems:- understand the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle;- knowledge of environmental management systems (EMS) and the requirements of ISO 14001:2026.Environmental management:- the concept of environmental, sustainable development whereby an organisation must ensure that actions of today do not degrade the environment of the future;- the purpose of an initial review as the basis for establishing an EMS where none currently exists;- evaluation of activities, products and services to establish the environmental aspects associated with normal operating conditions, abnormal conditions such as start-up and shutdown and emergency situations and accidents;- considerations of environmental aspects with respect to:- emission to air, release to water and release to land;- use of raw materials, natural resources and energy;- energy emitted and lost e.g. heat, radiation, vibration, steam, and compressed air;- public nuisance such as light pollution, noise, and odour.- environmental legislation and how legal compliance forms part of an EMS;- typical methods for evaluation of the significant impacts of the environmental aspects identified and how their ranking influences operational control and priorities for improvement.Course ContentIntroduction to the ISO 14000 Series of Management System StandardsISO 14001:2026 – Interpretation for AuditAudit Definition and PrinciplesPlanning and Preparation for the AuditConducting the AuditAudit Reporting and Follow-upAuditor Competence

The purpose of this course is to provide learners who have an existing, basic knowledge of, or experience in, environmental management with an understanding of the management systems approach and the requirements of ISO 14001:2026, and to provide a basis for learners who wish to implement an Environmental Management System.Course DetailsDuration: 2 daysAccreditation: SGS certificate of attendance upon completionPrior KnowledgeBefore starting this course, learners are expected to have the following prior knowledge:▪ Management Systems – the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.▪ The core elements of a management system and the interrelationship between management responsibility, policy,planning, implementation, measurement, review and continual improvement.▪ Environmental Management:- knowledge of the concepts of energy management and the relationship between an organisation’s activities,products and services and equipment on energy efficiency;- commonly used energy management terms and definitions, as given in ISO 14001:2026;- the requirements of ISO 14001:2026.Course ContentBenefits and Importance of CertificationAnalyse the Current Business StateCreate the Implementation PlanDesign and Document the SystemSelecting a Certification Body

This course approaches the integration of management systems from a risk-based approach, encouraging learners to take the broadest possible view of the processes in their organisation and the related risks, opportunities and occupational risks that need to be identified, controlled and managed. It also considers the implications of a multi-standard certification and develops the basis for an integrated approach to MS auditing.Course Content:Session One: Process-based QMSSession Two: Auditing for Continual ImprovementSession Three: Introduction to EMS AuditingSession Four: ISO 14001:2026  Interpretation for AuditSession Five: Introduction to OH&S MSSession Six: Risk Assessment: Tools, Techniques and ControlsSession Seven: Audits: Definitions and PrinciplesSession Eight: Planning and Preparing for the AuditSession Nine: Conducting the AuditSession Ten: Audit Reporting and Follow-upSession Eleven: Auditor CompetencePrior Knowledge:Before starting this course, learners are expected to have the following prior knowledge:Management Systems:- Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle.- The core elements of a management system and the interrelationship between the context of the organisation, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation and improvement.Quality, environmental and OH&S management:- The purpose, fundamental concepts, structure, management principles and the benefits with reference to the abovementioned disciplines.ISO 9001:2026, ISO 14001:2026 and ISO 45001:2018:- An understanding of the requirements of ISO 9001:2026, ISO 14001:2026 and ISO 45001:2018 and the commonly used management system terms and definitions, as given in these standards, which may be gained by completing the foundation training courses or equivalent.Course Certification:On completion of this course learners will be issued with a “Certificate of Attendance”.