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Overview

Making the Case for Decarbonization Projects

Incentive available

Next Start Date: No upcoming session

Online

Next Start Date:
No session available.
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Program overview

Organizations are setting progressive decarbonization goals to meet regulatory requirements and achieve strategic objectives. However, not all decarbonization projects are created equal.

How do we know in which decarbonization projects to invest? How can we balance capital planning with financial, and decarbonization objectives? Can decarbonization also generate non-energy benefits? How do we deal with uncertainties such as rising carbon taxes?

Understanding how to balance competing objectives and navigate the most cost-effective path to achieving carbon reductions is crucial for a successful decarbonization program.

This one-day course is designed to provide participants with hands-on experience in analyzing decarbonization projects. It covers fundamental concepts such as incremental costs, carbon pricing, net present values, total costs of building ownership, and how to determine the necessary elements for a decision matrix. Throughout the day, participants actively engage in creating a business case for a decarbonization project by going through each step. At the end of the course, participants are asked to present their decarbonization recommendations.

What you will learn

  • Understand project financial metrics such as incremental costs, net present values, internal rate of return, and net present values per tonne of GHG emissions.
  • Compare decarbonization opportunities using the appropriate metrics and select the best ones. 
  • Consider the effects of carbon risks, capital upgrade cycles, and asset values as well as how to quantify these effects as part of life cycle cost analysis.
  • Develop a one-page proposal to pitch a decarbonization opportunity. 

This course is ideal for

This course is relevant to anyone involved in facility management, operations management and planning, or sustainability planning. It is especially valuable to those tasked with identifying and implementing decarbonization projects in commercial, industrial, multi-unit residential, and institutional buildings. 

  • Sustainability, environment, or decarbonization managers 
  • Planning or strategy managers 
  • Energy managers 
  • Accountants 
  • Consultants 
  • Operational efficiency specialists 

You'll walk away with

This course provides tools and knowledge to analyze the total cost of ownership and create a business case for decarbonization projects. With this information, participants can make informed decisions on which decarbonization projects to pursue to ultimately achieve their organizations' carbon reduction targets. 

Course summary

Course Details

Length

1 day

Language

English, French

Skill level

Beginner

Format

Online

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a standardized way to measure participation in professional development and continuing education programs.
CEU Units: 0.6

Next Start Date

No upcoming session


Regular fee

$745

Available Incentives

SaveOnEnergy

This course is eligible for Save on Energy incentives of up to 75%, making advanced energy management training more accessible. Build the skills needed to drive efficiency and reduce energy use in your organization.
 
 
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Upcoming Sessions

Length 1 day

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Full Curriculum

Agenda

  • Decarbonization opportunities – a brief overview
  • Elements of a successful decarb pitch:
  • Understanding your organization’s goals and motivations
  • Financial analysis of alternative decarb options
  • Non-Carbon benefits, including:
    • Updating aging equipment
    • Managing future “carbon risk”
    • Climate adaptation (ex: cooling capacity)
    • Occupant comfort
  • Understanding the basics of analysis
    • A brief overview of NPV, IRR, etc
    • Incremental costing
    • Maintenance costs/savings
  • Standard energy efficiency financial analysis
    • Basics of analysis
    • Why it’s not ideal
    • What to do instead
    • Example activity
  • Carbon price
    • Carbon price vs. carbon tax
    • Incentives, credits, offsets, penalties
    • How to select an internal carbon price
  • Financial analysis activity in Excel
  • Putting it all together – presenting your proposal
  • Proposal activity
  • Wrap up and consolidation

Important information

Learning material

  • PDF of the presentation slides (slides in printable protected PDF)
  • Supplemental training material
  • Additional files

Your enrollment includes all presentation slides and supplemental training material to ensure your success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Policies and FAQ

Click here, to see our course postponement and cancellation policy.

Do you have questions? Consult our FAQ for answers. 

Ready to level up your career?

Build the expertise employers are looking for in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Advance your career with CIET’s applied, industry-led training.

Available Incentives

SaveOnEnergy

This course is eligible for Save on Energy incentives of up to 75%, making advanced energy management training more accessible. Build the skills needed to drive efficiency and reduce energy use in your organization.
 
 

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Hear it from our graduates

Pierre-Francis Parent, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Consultant - Planéco Énergie

My background in energy efficiency was primarily at the industrial process level, so I chose to train with CIET to expand my knowledge on building energy systems. I completed the Advanced Course on Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) as well as the two courses on Building Automation Systems. The new concepts I learned, enhanced by the knowledge of the trainers and the other participants, quickly helped me identify opportunities relating to energy, comfort, and maintenance, most often "low cost" ones.

Tony Lam, Energy Manager - Government of Yukon

Thanks to the Becoming Carbon Neutral course, I gained a better understanding of how the industry's approach to carbon neutrality is taking significant strides towards standardization, definitions, and requirements. Unfortunately, some requirements are challenging for a small northern jurisdiction like Yukon. But knowing the industry standards was tremendously helpful for figuring out where we are and where we need to be. I was able to identify areas where we already do well, pinpoint gaps, and allocate resources accordingly. The course helped me understand the overall trajectory that our organization should follow to achieve carbon neutrality. 

Sean Martin, Home Inspector

The Foundation Level Exam Prep Course was very insightful, well structured and delivered, and the compilation of resources was extremely helpful. This was an exceptional training experience. Money well spent. I am glad I chose CIET for preparing the NRCan Foundation Level Exam..

Sean Martin, Home Inspector

The Foundation Level Exam Prep Course was very insightful, well structured and delivered, and the compilation of resources was extremely helpful. This was an exceptional training experience. Money well spent. I am glad I chose CIET for preparing the NRCan Foundation Level Exam.

Leo Glaser, Energy Analyst – Operational Excellence, Quadreal Property Group

In our experience, CIET courses deliver a great foundation for all energy professionals—at any stage of their career or experience level. We were very satisfied with the facilitation and received positive feedback from QuadReal participants. It is a pleasure to work with CIET.

Anyssa Rambali, Process Engineer - Durez Canada Company Ltd

The online CEM course was very professionally put together. The team instructors were really knowledgeable and engaging, and the exam was administered and very easy to take through proctorU.

Marcel Soucy, Supervisor Groupe Énergie - ENGIE Services Inc.

We very much appreciate the efforts you have invested in virtual learning and encourage you to maintain this format. This cuts costs and optimizes time for everyone.