Sustainability
Sustainability standards give organizations a structured, auditable way to manage environmental performance rather than merely assert it — increasingly important as sustainability reporting comes under regulatory scrutiny and supply chain scrutiny alike. This domain covers environmental management with ISO 14001, energy management with ISO 50001, sustainable procurement with ISO 20400, and social responsibility with ISO 26000.
Courses
10
Standards
4
Languages
5
From
€390
Who this is for
- Environmental and sustainability managers
- Energy managers pursuing measurable efficiency improvement
- Procurement professionals embedding sustainability into sourcing
- Auditors assessing environmental or energy management systems
Standards in this category
Credential levels available
Not sure which level fits your role, or what experience a designation requires? See the full certification-criteria reference →
All sustainability courses€390–€850
ISO 50001
Lead Implementer
EN, KO
2 exam attempts includedISO 50001
Lead Auditor
EN, KO
2 exam attempts includedISO 50001
Foundation
EN, KO
2 exam attempts includedISO 26000
Lead Manager
EN, FR
2 exam attempts includedISO 26000
Foundation
EN, FR
2 exam attempts includedISO 20400
Lead Manager
EN
2 exam attempts includedISO 14001
Lead Implementer
EN, ES, JA +1 more
2 exam attempts includedISO 14001
Lead Auditor
EN, ES, KO +2 more
2 exam attempts includedISO 14001
Lead Auditor
EN
2 exam attempts includedISO 14001
Foundation
EN, ES, JA +1 more
2 exam attempts includedFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between ISO 14001 and ISO 50001?
ISO 14001 covers environmental management broadly — waste, emissions, water, biodiversity, compliance obligations and environmental aspects across operations. ISO 50001 is narrower and deeper, focused specifically on energy performance: consumption, efficiency and measurable improvement. Organizations pursuing energy cost reduction often start with ISO 50001; those addressing environmental impact generally start with ISO 14001.
Can an organization be certified against ISO 26000?
No. ISO 26000 provides guidance on social responsibility and is explicitly not a requirements standard, so it is not used for organizational certification. Individuals can hold a PECB personal certification evidencing their competence in applying its guidance.
What does ISO 20400 cover?
ISO 20400 provides guidance on sustainable procurement — integrating environmental, social and economic considerations into purchasing decisions and supplier relationships. It is directly relevant to anyone responding to supply chain sustainability requirements from customers.
Are these useful for sustainability reporting obligations?
They address the underlying management practice rather than any specific reporting framework. A functioning ISO 14001 or ISO 50001 system produces much of the data and governance evidence that reporting requires, but the courses are not reporting-standard training.
Which level should I choose?
Foundation for the principles and terminology, Lead Implementer to build the management system, Lead Auditor to assess one. Each is a standalone credential.