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Course: Certified Sustainability Communications Expert

Role specific training for PR consultants and communication managers

Apply now by emailing

Training for communications experts: Certified Sustainability Communications Expert

The transformation of our society and economy towards sustainability brings significant challenges and new tasks for PR. PR agencies, communications consultants, and communication departments in companies and institutions have both great opportunities and a special responsibility to shape this process and positively influence public opinion and behavior.

Where and when?

Vienna: 14 to 16 May 2025 from 9 am to 7 pm
Dusseldorf: 2 to 4 June 2025 from 9 am to 7 pm
Duration? 3 Modules in 3 days
Who? Trainer team, trained by us
Costs: € 1.890 (excl. VAT) incl. ICCO certification
Discounted Rate: € 1.690 (excl. VAT) for PRCA members

Apply now by emailing

When you complete the course,
you will have

 

Know-how in climate protection:
  • We impart the knowledge that is necessary for the climate transition. Our approach is always science- and fact-orientated.
  • Knowledge is the only commodity that increases when it is shared. Based on this premise, we are happy to pass on our many years of extensive expertise in order to generate impact.
Expertise for implementation:
  • We focus on people in the communications sector.
  • The training programme provides you with the insights, methods and tools you need to design your sustainable communication without greenwashing.
Practical experience:
  • We work in small groups in order to ensure maximum benefit and participation.
  • In dialogue with experts from companies, the PRVA and agencies, you will learn about specific examples and current challenges and receive concrete tips for your everyday work.
“

Three quite intense but very well-spent days with a great range of facilitators, guest speakers and fellow participants in Vienna. The ICCO certified Sustainability Communications course is a deep dive, but really roots the challenges of authentic sustainability communications within an EU context and provides you with transferable tools and approaches to help you navigate this complex landscape. Johannes was an impressive lynchpin for the facilitation team and his unflagging energy, commitment and breadth of knowledge added so much to the overall experience!

Fiona WalshClient Director, Alice Public Relations
“

I started back into my day-to-day work today after the training session with tremendous enthusiasm. Making the climate crisis understandable is the most difficult communication task for all of us so far. It needs all communicators. I'm in Clear recommendation for the course!

Barbara BauerCommunications, Erste Group
“

While around 70,000 participants met at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai in November 2023, we created our own small climate conference and discussed the relevant topics relating to the climate crisis at the Climate Protection Academy's first Certified Sustainability Communications Expert training programme. As communicators and consultants, we have a special responsibility and want to deepen our ecological commitment - in our own organisation and in advising our customers. Many thanks to Marion and Joe for the inspiring training and the constructive dialogue - very valuable!

Angelika PaulHead Consultant | Member of the Board, currycom communications partners
“

I am very proud to have received the ‘Certified Sustainability Communications Expert’ certificate as part of my 3-day course. Topics such as sustainability and climate neutrality in companies, facts and background information on climate change, new guidelines and legislation that are important for domestic companies, opportunities and risks as well as PR ethical considerations have made it even clearer to me how responsible our role as communicators is and how important it is to prioritise the right sustainability and climate protection communication. I look forward to putting what I have learnt into practice even better in my consultancy work in the future and actively supporting my clients with my expertise!

Christina BrandensteinManaging Director, Brandenstein Communications PR Agency
“

I left the three-day Certified Sustainability Communications Expert course last week with a lot of new knowledge and, most importantly, a lot of motivation. Making the #climatecrisis understandable is no easy task, but we communicators have a crucial role to play. In my opinion, it should not be 'optional' to deal with the issue, but it should become the standard. Shake things up, cause a stir and make a constructive contribution' is my motto from now on. Thanks for the exciting and educational days.

Johanna WenzlCommunication Specialist, IKEA Austria
“

I really benefited from taking part in the Academy for Climate Action's Certified Sustainability Communications Expert course, both personally and professionally. Joe and Damien are excellent, highly knowledgeable course leaders. While the course covers a lot of ground, it’s structured with a great flow, and they kept me and my fellow participants engaged and interested throughout.
I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone interested in understanding the background, current research, and policies related to the climate crisis, and especially to those keen to explore the vital role communicators play in promoting climate action and supporting genuine sustainability efforts.

Sebastian EnkeFounder & MD of Enkom PR & Member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (MPRII)

Masterclass contents

CLIMATE NEUTRALITY

Science- fact-based know-how transfer

IMPLEMENTATION

Define opportunities and risks for companies, targets and measures

GREENWASHING

Definition, consequences and examples of Greenwashing – and how to avoid it

ROLE PR

PR charter as a guide for sustainability and climate protection communication

Training for experts in the field of communication

3 days of concentrated knowledge, pragmatic and fact-based, on the topic of sustainability for eexperienced PR consultants and communication managers with at least four years of professional experience.

Day 1

Basic sustainability know-how

All-day

Building knowledge on the topic of sustainability and climate protection is the central element of day one. A comprehensive picture of the current climate crisis is presented and key terms explained. In addition, participants are given an overview of the relevant current regulatory framework. Based on this, opportunities and risks for companies will be discussed.

Day 2

Solutions and implementation

All-day

The target pathways for organisations, and the steps required to achieve them, will be covered in detail during day two. Specific measures and fields of action will be developed so that companies can become climate-neutral. In addition to implementation, the central topic of greenwashing will be addressed: definitions, legal framework and examples.

Day 3

Putting it
into practice

All-day

The role of PR and communication in the climate crisis will be the focus of day three, with PRVA experts discussing the PR charter for sustainability. Experts from corporate practice will provide insights into their work and how they master the challenges of sustainable communication. Participants will analyse their own role and how they can shape it in the future.

Z

Z Certification at the end:
In the afternoon of the 3rd day there is a written exam (multiple choice, online). Participants who pass the exam receive a certificate as a ‘Certified Sustainability Communications Expert’.

What makes the course special?

Trainer teams with many years of experience who bring all their knowledge, diverse backgrounds and different perspectives

Small groups of max. 10 people to be able to work on individual situations and questions in detail, very interactive setting

Expert input and exchange on individual everyday situations, practical cases can be discussed in the group

Next planned course starts

Expand your knowledge of sustainability and climate protection and become part of the solution. Together we can make a lasting difference and drive forward serious and honest sustainability communication.

This course was organised in cooperation with:

”As a consultant to and in a wide variety of organisations since 2005, I would like to scale up the transfer of expertise quickly and efficiently in order to sustainably expand companies' expertise on the topic of climate neutrality. This training provides consultants with the right basic framework to support companies on their path to climate neutrality.

Marion ZöchbauerCo-Founder Klimaschutzakademie

”From emissions trading, to the WWF, to the EU's Climate-KIC agency: As a climate protection expert of many years' standing, I am keen to make the knowledge I have acquired in a wide variety of areas since 2008 available to all those who want to make a contribution to achieving climate targets. According to the motto: We can never have enough people who are committed to climate neutrality.

Johannes Naimer-StachCo-Founder Klimaschutzakademie

Do you need long-term support, professional input?

Or would you like to discuss specific issues? Contact us today for a no-obligation initial consultation.

Arrange an initial consultation

Office

ORCA Evolution OG

Spittelauer Lände 45

1090 Vienna

Contact

T: +43 680 1748332

E: office@klimaschutzakademie.com

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