Certified Sustainability Officer (CSO)

The Certified Sustainability Officer (CSO) program equips professionals with the knowledge and tools to lead impactful sustainability strategies.

Covering global frameworks, ESG, SDGs, and corporate culture, the program blends theory with practical case studies and group activities. Participants will learn to integrate sustainability into organizations, articulate its business value, and drive measurable change toward a resilient, low-carbon future.

Overview

Duration & Delivery

• Format: Instructor-led training (In-Person)

• Duration: 3 Days (October 14-16, 2025)

• Includes: Lectures, facilitated discussions, group activities, self-reflection exercises, case studies, course materials

• Instructor: Sustainability & ESG Advisor, Strategic Communicator, Leadership Trainer, Keynote Speaker

Learning Objectives

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

• To understand the impact of current global economic, social, and environmental pressures.

• Learn how to integrate sustainability into the existing organizational structures.

• Articulate the business case for sustainability.

• Examine the transformation cases of 2–3 relevant sustainable businesses and discuss their outcomes.

Program Features

• Comprehensive modules on sustainability, ESG, SDGs, and climate action.

• International frameworks and regional best practices.

• Practical case studies and transformation scenarios.

• Peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities.

Detailed Course Schedule

Module 01

• The Significance of Sustainability in Business Operations.

• Define sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Explain how the SDGs are relevant to businesses and the importance of metrics in measuring progress.

• Group Activity: How to use the SDGs in business reporting and metrics.

• An overview of international frameworks: 17 SDGs & The United Nations Global Compact 10 Principles.

• What are the nine Planetary Boundaries? Explore the impact of businesses' activities on planetary boundaries.

Module 02

• Define ESG and explain how it differs from the SDGs.

• Explore the drivers behind ESG and its relevance to businesses: ESG reporting, indices performance, ratings from agencies, disclosure standards, metrics and examples of company ESG reports.

• Explain the relevance of COPs (Conference of the Parties) for local markets and businesses' climate actions.

• Group Activity:2Tonnes, Immersive workshop – how to transition to a low-carbon society (understanding climate action and emissions reduction).

Module 03

• Corporate Culture and Sustainability - the importance of corporate culture in driving sustainability initiatives.

• Explore nuances of corporate culture for sustainability in the UAE and the region, including top-down vs. bottom-up approaches.

• Group Activity: participants create and pitch a net-zero action plan to leadership.

• Encourage participants to apply concepts learned in the lesson to real-world scenarios.

Hands-On Learning Approach

• Interactive group activities (e.g., ESG reporting, SDG integration, net-zero action plans).

• Immersive workshops such as 2Tonnes to simulate climate action.

• Real-world applications of sustainability frameworks in organizational settings.

Prerequisites

• No prior sustainability certification required. Suitable for professionals from government, private sector, consultancy, and non-profit organizations with an interest in sustainability leadership.

• Employees from government, environmental, social and energy sectors.

• Consultancy professionals looking to pivot their career toward sustainability and apply new research/insights to client’s businesses.

• Professionals aiming to develop their knowledge of sustainability across various organisations.

• Titles: Project managers, technical managers, event, communication & marketing professionals, finance & procurement managers, HR & training managers.

• Professionals who need to lead sustainability strategies and transition for private and government sectors.

• Industries: Educational and training, production & manufacturing, trading and sales organisations, professional services consultancies, marketing, PR & communications agencies.

• Seniors-level employees interested in gaining access to sustainability practices and looking to remain relevant.

Who Should Attend?

Certification Readiness

Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Certified Sustainability Officer (CSO) certificate from RIT, validating their ability to lead and integrate sustainability practices into business strategies.