ATLANTA, Georgia, USA, 12 September 2024: ASHRAE announced its inaugural cohort of Certified Decarbonization Professionals (CDPs), taking a step forward in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment. Making the announcement through a Press Release, ASHRAE said the Certified Decarbonization Professionals (CDP) programme is an international certification that validates the competency of decarbonisation professionals to assess, analyse and develop effective strategies to eliminate and reduce the lifecycle carbon footprint of buildings.

ASHRAE said the programme, funded by the ASHRAE Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization, is developed in a record 11 months and enables industry professionals to demonstrate competency in critical building decarbonisation tasks. Since its launch, earlier this year, the CDP has been the most applied-for ASHRAE certification, highlighting its importance and relevance in today’s building and energy sectors, ASHRAE said.

M. Dennis Knight, President, ASHRAE, said: “Decarbonization is essential to our global sustainability goals, and ASHRAE is committed to empowering professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the charge. The Certified Decarbonization Professional program is not just a milestone for ASHRAE but a much-needed tool for the industry, as we work toward a net-zero future.”

ASHRAE said the certification programme is designed for professionals who are responsible for decarbonising new and existing buildings. ASHRAE said eligibility requirements include education, work experience and a code of professional conduct. ASHRAE said it also includes passing a rigorous certification exam, validating competency in building decarbonisation tasks across eight domains, including decarbonisation drivers, project planning and development, construction and renovation, passive and active efficiency, facility management and distributed energy resources.

ASHRAE said its Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization provided the vision and resources for the certification and supports ASHRAE’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the built environment through education, research and the development of innovative tools and resources.