The ESG and sustainability regulatory environment is rapidly changing. This means that the skills in measurement and reporting, as well as verification, of ESG and sustainability metrics, are in high demand.
These skills cover, but are not limited to, GHG accounting and reporting (Goal 3), Product Carbon Footprint and other Product Sustainability related assessments, Responsible Procurement, BRSR, GRI reporting and other reporting frameworks, CBAM, and other sustainability-related compliance requirements.
Organizations are required to develop and implement ESG and Sustainability strategies quickly. This will require the development of trained, skilful and knowledgeable personnel.
The Course You Need Will Vary Depending on Regulatory Requirements and Specific Business Scenarios.
Many organizations do not have the adequate personnel required to develop and analyze ESG and Sustainability-related data and information.
IRQS, with over 30 years of experience in various industries, has sustainability-related training, consulting and assurance services offerings to help organizations bridge this personnel gap. IRQS’s range of products and services are targeted at employees engaged in ESG and sustainability functions.
Picture a Monday Review Meeting…
Imagine it’s Monday again. The Customer is a EU-based Importer who has an interest in your products. Your local sales representative has forwarded a completed version of the European Importer Questionnaire.
The questionnaire has requests for Evidence of Scope 3 Emissions, Product Carbon Footprint, Recycled Content and other relevant information with a deadline of the end of the week.
Thousands of businesses have the same problem. Their staff is ambitious and knows the rules. The knowledge in sustainability is scarce. The knowledge gap is reduced by training, but only if the training is job related.
Importance of Sustainability Skills
In the past, sustainability was included in the remit of a single manager. Now, it is spread across the entire business. The employee awareness is not in sync with the expanding responsibility.
A Sustainability Skills Deficit Exists Across All Borders
The Ignite series, launched in 2024 by IEMA, promoted the inclusion of green skills in national action plans, and gained support from numerous organizations including SUEZ, The Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB and the British Chambers of Commerce.
IEMA was clear that, without broadening sustainability skills and knowledge, many countries would miss their biodiversity and carbon goals.
The Trend Is Clear
The World Economic Forum anticipates that 59% of the global workforce will require training to adjust to workplace changes between now and 2030. Between 2020 and 2030, more than 170 million jobs will be created.
The Green Skills Report 2025 from LinkedIn states that approximately 53% of new green hires come from more traditional skills sets, such as Finance and Data Analysis. Thus, a person who focuses on Data Analysis today may be trained to analyze carbon data in the future.
positIVe Intent IONs Negative Impact
In a study conducted by edie, it was found that 96% of businesses claimed they wanted to improve their environmental and social impact. However, most of these businesses claimed they were unable to take action towards these goals due to a lack of funding or other resources.
Many of these businesses claimed they wanted to focus on positive social and environmental change, but lacked the appropriate resources and personnel to assist them.
Regulation AND Skill Alignment
Currently, there are three areas of new and evolving legislation that merge to create the largest requirement for new and evolving skills:
- The CSRD: The original estimate was that the Directive would impact approximately 50,000 organizations. Simplification of the Directive may have reduced the scope and impact of the CSRD; however, the fundamental requirement for large corporations to provide assurance of sustainability remains unchanged. Furthermore, as other organizations in the value chain are requested to provide similar assurance, the impact of the Directive is being filtered down to organizations in India.
- BRSR: In India, the SEBI requires the largest 1,000 listed companies to produce Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reports. The BRSR Core, which requires assurance, is being phased in, and other organizations in the value chain are being required to provide similar information.
- CBAM: The European Commission implemented the CBAM in January 2026, which places a cost on certain goods (initially steel and aluminum, and later cement, hydrogen, and other materials and electricity) based on the embedded carbon.
As of September 27, 2026, EU Directive 2024/825 has come into force. This directly pertains to the green claims assessment and prohibits unsubstantiated green claims. As such, employees in various capacities within an organization will need to understand evidence.
The consequence: Regulatory bodies and customers increased standards. The only way to exceed these standards is to have trained personnel.
IRQS Sustainability Training
Given the context, what is of more immediate interest is how to evaluate and address specific challenges. In what ways can IRQS trainings be used to accommodate various challenges? IRQS trains clients to understand and address challenges based on the real work situations.
Carbon and Climate Change
- Lead Verification and Lead Implementation of ISO 14064-3 GHG Inventories.
- Product Carbon Footprint, Scope 3, and Climate Neutrality
- AB 32: California’s Global Warming Act (GHG Emissions Market Credits)
- CARB Standards and Regulations Training (Air Resources Board of California)
- Green and Red Listed Substances Training and Declaration (EU and other global regulated substances)
Product Compliance
- Training on the CBAM
- Life Cycle Assessment (ISO 14040, 14044)
- Training for Environmental Product Declarations
- Declaration of Conformity Training (CE marking, RoHS Directive, REACH Regulations)
Reporting and Disclosure
- Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR): Aligned to the SEBI framework of India.
- Awareness on GRI Standards and Sustainability Reporting: The training covers one of the widely adopted reporting formats.
- ESG Disclosures: Covers high level expectations of Investors and Rating agencies.
Resources, Water and Waste
- Lead Implementor of the Water Footprint Management System (WFMS) as per ISO 14046.
- ZLD and ZWL.
- Social Responsibility as Per ISO 26000.
- Lead Implementor of ISO 20400 and ISO 37001.
To err is human. The most common mistake is to train the entire workforce on sustainability. The second most common mistake is to train just one employee for every available course.
The best way to proceed is to define roles.
- The core sustainability and EHS management roles require the ability to define and interpret Scopes and set SBTs. ISO 14064 Lead Implementor course is an excellent starting point.
- Internal auditors and assurance teams require ISO 14064 Lead Verifier course.
- CBAM and ISO 14067 are essential for teams operating in the European Market.
- LCA and EPD are valuable for R&D and Product teams.
- Finance, Company Secretary and IR teams require GRI and ESG Disclosures and BRSR.
- Procurement teams can find benefit from ISO 20400.
- ZLD, ZWS and ISO 14046 are of more immediate interest to plant and utility management teams.
- Legal and compliance teams are more interested in ISO 37001 and ISO 26000.
What is of immediate interest to you? Who is your clients’ client? Who will own this work next year? Usually, the answers provide the best steer on the most appropriate management system.
The trend will always change. Be prepared for the task at hand.
What to Expect from IRQS Training
IRQS makes training accessible by simplifying the enrollment process. Prospective candidates or organizations are invited to apply for a training course.
Prior to course commencement, participants complete a self assessment and IRQS outlines the course modules most relevant to the participants.
Courses are instructor led in one of three formats (classroom, online or blended). On successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate.
Alumni are encouraged to undertake additional training to foster continued learning.
IRQS Training Services
Workshops on sustainability management are offered by numerous companies. IRQS, being an auditing company, provides a distinct edge over its competitors, based on its experience and knowledge from auditing thousands of companies over the last three decades.
Accreditation and Recognized Trainers
We are accredited with NABCB and work with international accreditation bodies. Our trainers are recognized and accredited. Therefore, participants get the benefit of learning from trainers on areas auditors and regulators verify and check.
Sector Experts at the Front of the Room
Our trainers cover a range of sectors including manufacturing, energy, and chemicals. They know where the relevant data is located. Therefore, they prepare our participants to identify relevant data and information for the requirements of the standards.
Practical and Real Cases
Our training programs include real life cases rather than theoretical cases. Therefore, participants are able to perform required work rather than defining it.
Accreditations and Recognition
Our certifications and accreditations are recognized across the world. Therefore, training facilitated by us is useful for individuals working with customers in different parts of the world.
Global and Local Presence
We have our offices in Mumbai, other parts of India and other countries including U.K, Singapore, U.A.E, The Netherlands, Malaysia and Indonesia. Therefore, we can facilitate training for participants working in different countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are training programs on sustainability mandatory?
While sustainability trainings are not mandatory, different regulations including the CSRD and BRSR require entities to collect data and provide reports. Trained personnel are needed to collect data to produce reports.
Can trainings be designed based on the specific needs of a company?
Yes. Based on the needs of the client company, our trainings can be designed to focus on the relevant legislations and requirements.
Is work experience necessary for trainings?
No, relevant work experience is not necessary for training programs on awareness level. Work experience is necessary for Lead Verifier and Lead Implementer training programs for the relevant standards.
Which course should come first?
CBAM and ISO 14064 are where most exporters should start. BRSR impacts listed Indian companies. Product-focused businesses should look into ISO 14067 and/or LCA.
It’s Better to Build the Team before the Questionnaire
Going through the motions of a buyer’s questionnaire doesn’t have to be painful. With the right people on your team, it can be as simple as filling out a form.
Regulations will only continue to become more stringent. It’s safe to assume the skills gap will also continue to widen. It’s reasonable to expect the same for your business.
Be proactive and name the sustainability-related challenges your business is likely to face in the next year. Identify an owner for each challenge and provide the owner with the training to address it.
Irish Research Quality Samuel (IRQS) has a wide range of sustainability courses and qualifications to meet your business needs. Learn More
Finding the mute button is easy. So is finding the emissions data, with the right training.
