GHG Accounting for Non-Scientists

This course can be delivered to your organisation as part of our bespoke Corporate Training Solutions, at your own time and your own convenience. Contact us on kla@kpmg.com.mt or call us on +356 2563 6363 or on +356 9963 6363 for more information on how we can take care of your organisation’s training needs.

Course Description:

GHG Accounting for non-scientists is a foundational course intended to provide participants with a fundamental understanding of carbon accounting and its importance (also including its significance in the global effort to combat climate change). This course is intended for professionals from various industries with little to no prior knowledge of carbon accounting.

Throughout this course, participants will gain an understanding of the principles and practices of carbon accounting, including the definition of scopes, activities falling under carbon accounting (footprinting, target setting, etc.), and the importance of carbon emissions reduction, including as part of a firm’s wider ESG strategy. The course will also explore the various methodologies used in carbon accounting, including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, whilst highlighting the pragmatic challenges associated in carbon emissions quantification (such as data availability).

Participants will also gain a high-level understanding of the regulatory and reporting requirements related to carbon accounting, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The course will also discuss the role of carbon offsetting, the benefits and limitations of carbon credits, and the importance of effective communication and stakeholder engagement in carbon accounting.

By the end of the course, participants will have a solid foundation in carbon accounting, including an understanding of key concepts, methodologies, and best practices.

Target Audience:

This course is intended for professionals from various industries with little to no prior knowledge of carbon accounting.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session, participants should be able to:

  • Grasp the basic fundamentals of GHG accounting including its increasing importance
  • Understand the methodology adopted to quantify GHG emissions whilst being aware of the associated challenges (e.g. data availability)
  • Be aware of the regulatory and reporting requirements at a high-level as well as other activities related to GHG accounting (e.g. carbon offsetting)

Venue: Kindly contact us on kla@kpmg.com.mt to indicate your preferred training method; online or in-person.

CPE Hours: This course qualifies for 1.5 hours of Structured CPE which can be classified as Professional Competency. A certificate of attendance will be provided at the end of the session.

Trainers:

Rachel Decelis, Associate Director, Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG), KPMG in Malta

Rachel Decelis

Rachel is a chemist and chartered environmentalist, having 16 years’ experience in sustainability. She joined KPMG in 2022 as Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) lead, after having worked in both the environmental consultancy and regulatory sectors. Throughout her career, Rachel has worked with Government entities and companies in various sectors, including in construction, waste management, energy, and manufacturing. Her specialisations include climate change, environmental permitting, reporting, and auditing, as well as air quality monitoring and impact assessment.

Rachel is also a skilled trainer and communicator, having lectured at various levels in academic settings, and published articles online and in print.

At KPMG in Malta, Rachel leads the ESG function. She leads ESG projects and supports various teams in developing and delivering ESG services to clients, including by providing technical input and specialist advice. She also conducts internal and external training on ESG, and acts as ESG champion for the firm. Rachel also forms part of KPMG’s global ESG specialist resources and is the Climate and Net Zero lead for a sub-region of KPMG across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Karl Aquilina, Senior Manager, Adivosry – Subject Matter Expert, KPMG in Malta

Karl Aquilina

Karl is a chemist by background and acts as a Subject Matter Expert who works across KPMG’s audit, tax and advisory functions. His unique blend of skills and perspective allows him to solve complex challenges, providing clients with versatile solutions. Karl’s areas of expertise include Greenhouse Gas (‘GHG’) accounting and other services relating to emissions.

Karl is an accomplished GHG accounting professional with experience in helping organizations across various industries to quantify and reduce their carbon footprint. His extensive training in carbon accounting provided by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol has equipped him with a deep understanding of GHG accounting standards and best practices, enabling him to develop sophisticated scientific models that accurately estimate emissions.

Karl’s skills in using specialized GHG analytical tools and methodologies have been invaluable in conducting comprehensive analyses of organizations’ carbon footprints. He excels in identifying areas where emissions can be reduced, including energy consumption, transportation, and waste management, and works closely with organizations to develop tailored action plans to achieve their sustainability goals.

In addition to his GHG accounting expertise, Karl has worked on a wide range of projects related to STEM subjects, providing assistance to different teams at KPMG. One such project involved a study for a hydrogen pipeline connecting Malta to the European gas network, where his technical expertise were instrumental in achieving the project’s objectives.

Karl’s commitment to transparency in GHG accounting and reporting is a hallmark of his work. He recognizes the importance of accurate and transparent reporting in building trust with stakeholders and demonstrating progress towards reducing emissions. He is highly detail-oriented and takes pride in ensuring that his GHG accounting work is accurate, reliable, and compliant with all relevant regulations and standards. He stays up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies in GHG accounting and sustainability, attending conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities to enhance his knowledge and skills.

Overall, Karl’s extensive experience, technical expertise, and commitment to sustainability make him a valuable asset to any organization looking to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve its sustainability goals.

Sara Marston, Advisory Assistant, Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG), KPMG in Malta

Sara Marston

Sara is an earth scientist by training. She joined KPMG Malta in 2022 as Advisory Assistant on the Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) team, after having graduated with a BSc in Earth Systems from the University of Malta. Throughout her studies, Sara was exposed to a range of topics, including governance and sustainable development, corporate environmental management, environmental impact assessment and monitoring, environmental data processing, and other. She concluded her undergraduate with a dissertation related to the extinction-of-experience phenomenon. In her role at KPMG, Sara has been able to apply this knowledge and skillset to client engagements (both international and local) across the firm’s varied service functions, specifically those that require technical and scientific ESG expertise.

Additionally, Sara takes a keen interest in EU and Global environmental policy and affairs. Before joining KPMG, she was an active volunteer with several local eNGOs with a focus on different environmental arenas, e.g. waste and biodiversity, as well as with social movements related to human rights.

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Terms and conditions.

Course Features

  • Guided Learning 1.5 hours
  • Language English
  • Assessments
Rachel Decelis

Associate Director, ESG, KPMG

Rachel is a chemist and chartered environmentalist, having 16 years’ experience in sustainability. She joined KPMG in 2022 as Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) lead, after having worked in both the environmental consultancy and regulatory sectors. Throughout her career, Rachel has worked with Government entities and companies in various sectors, including in construction, waste management, energy, and manufacturing. Her specialisations include climate change, environmental permitting, reporting, and auditing, as well as air quality monitoring and impact assessment. Rachel is also a skilled trainer and communicator, having lectured at various levels in academic settings, and published articles online and in print. At KPMG in Malta, Rachel leads the ESG function. She leads ESG projects and supports various teams in developing and delivering ESG services to clients, including by providing technical input and specialist advice. She also conducts internal and external training on ESG, and acts as ESG champion for the firm. Rachel also forms part of KPMG’s global ESG specialist resources and is the Climate and Net Zero lead for a sub-region of KPMG across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Senior Manager

Karl is a chemist by background and acts as a Subject Matter Expert who works across KPMG’s audit, tax and advisory functions. His unique blend of skills and perspective allows him to solve complex challenges, providing clients with versatile solutions. Karl’s areas of expertise include Greenhouse Gas (‘GHG’) accounting and other services relating to emissions. Karl is an accomplished GHG accounting professional with experience in helping organizations across various industries to quantify and reduce their carbon footprint. His extensive training in carbon accounting provided by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol has equipped him with a deep understanding of GHG accounting standards and best practices, enabling him to develop sophisticated scientific models that accurately estimate emissions. Karl's skills in using specialized GHG analytical tools and methodologies have been invaluable in conducting comprehensive analyses of organizations' carbon footprints. He excels in identifying areas where emissions can be reduced, including energy consumption, transportation, and waste management, and works closely with organizations to develop tailored action plans to achieve their sustainability goals. In addition to his GHG accounting expertise, Karl has worked on a wide range of projects related to STEM subjects, providing assistance to different teams at KPMG. One such project involved a study for a hydrogen pipeline connecting Malta to the European gas network, where his technical expertise were instrumental in achieving the project's objectives. Karl's commitment to transparency in GHG accounting and reporting is a hallmark of his work. He recognizes the importance of accurate and transparent reporting in building trust with stakeholders and demonstrating progress towards reducing emissions. He is highly detail-oriented and takes pride in ensuring that his GHG accounting work is accurate, reliable, and compliant with all relevant regulations and standards. He stays up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies in GHG accounting and sustainability, attending conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities to enhance his knowledge and skills. Overall, Karl's extensive experience, technical expertise, and commitment to sustainability make him a valuable asset to any organization looking to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve its sustainability goals.

Advisory Assistant

Sara is an earth scientist by training. She joined KPMG Malta in 2022 as Advisory Assistant on the Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) team, after having graduated with a BSc in Earth Systems from the University of Malta. Throughout her studies, Sara was exposed to a range of topics, including governance and sustainable development, corporate environmental management, environmental impact assessment and monitoring, environmental data processing, and other. She concluded her undergraduate with a dissertation related to the extinction-of-experience phenomenon. In her role at KPMG, Sara has been able to apply this knowledge and skillset to client engagements (both international and local) across the firm’s varied service functions, specifically those that require technical and scientific ESG expertise. Additionally, Sara takes a keen interest in EU and Global environmental policy and affairs. Before joining KPMG, she was an active volunteer with several local eNGOs with a focus on different environmental arenas, e.g. waste and biodiversity, as well as with social movements related to human rights.