Advanced Net Zero

The Advanced Net Zero course is the final stage in our Net Zero learning pathway, designed for professionals who are ready to take their sustainability strategy to the next level.

This expert-led, workshop-based course goes beyond the basics, diving deeper into the detailed work required to create and implement an effective climate strategy. It offers personalised feedback to ensure your organisation’s actions align with net Net Zeros, while also addressing the common pitfalls of greenwashing that many organisations fall into.

Designed for professionals driving change at a strategic level, this course is ideal for:

• Decision-makers and senior leaders
• Policy writers and sustainability strategists
• ESG, CSR, and compliance professionals
• Anyone responsible for organisational Net Zero planning

This bespoke 2-day course equips senior professionals and decision-makers with the skills to:

• Build or refine a credible, action-focused Net Zero strategy
• Align sustainability with business operations, policies, and values
• Embed climate priorities across your organisation
• Avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing and regulatory non-compliance
• Lead with confidence and professional credibility in sustainability

A key feature of this course is the opportunity to receive direct, tailored feedback from a sustainability expert on your organisation’s climate strategy or draft action plan.

You’ll benefit from one expert feedback loop, included as part of your course. Additional feedback sessions may be arranged for an additional fee.

You’ll explore advanced topics and practical tools to support real organisational change, including:

• Developing or refining your strategic climate action plan
• Understanding carbon offsetting: What’s credible and what’s not
• Integrating sustainability into your business models and culture
• Policy writing and strategic alignment with Net Zero
• Measuring, reporting, and improving sustainability performance
• Navigating legal and regulatory requirements
• Aligning with national/international frameworks (e.g., SDGs, UK Net Zero Strategy)
• Communicating your strategy to secure stakeholder support and buy-in

Participants should have a working knowledge of climate change, carbon literacy, and sustainability. This can be met by:

• Completion of Introduction to Carbon Literacy and Road to Net Zero
• Prior training, academic background, or relevant job experience

On successful completion, you’ll receive:

• Colchester Institute Certificate
• City & Guilds Certificate of Achievement in Strategic Roadmap to Net Zero Policy (optional, additional fee applies)

These accreditations demonstrate your ability to lead strategic sustainability action and will enhance your professional profile.

Introduction to Carbon Literacy (Beginner – 1-day course)

Delivered by an accredited facilitator, this course offers Colchester Institute’s bespoke Carbon Literacy Programme, developed in line with the Carbon Literacy Project and awarded City & Guilds Assured status for its professional quality. Carbon Literacy helps individuals understand the carbon impact of their daily actions and equips them with the motivation and tools to reduce emissions at the individual, collective, and organisational levels.

Road to Net Zero (Intermediate – 2-day course)

The road to net zero involves the urgent challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 to meet the UK’s national target. This intermediate-level course covers the key areas every business needs to address to implement effective, organisation-wide change and ensure sustainable progress toward their climate goals.