Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO)

What is the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO)?
Why was ACCO created?
Will ACCO take a policy position on climate change?
Why are climate change officers needed by corporations, non-profit institutions and government?
What are examples of duties and responsibilities of a climate change officer?

What are some examples of goals that ACCO will aim to achieve?
Why is certification for a climate change officer important?
Who will set the standards for the CCO certification?
Will there be a continuing education requirement for the CCO certification?
Who should join ACCO?
What are the benefits of joining ACCO?

What is the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO)?

The Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) is a professional development organization that will:

Advance the professional knowledge, skills and experience of those dedicated to managing and implementing response to challenges and opportunities relating to climate change and energy issues;
Provide a forum for the exchange and enhancement of best practices, industry standards, and innovation in the area of greenhouse gas management;
Educate industry and government on the importance of employing qualified professionals, developing sound organizational structures and establishing incentives to encourage innovation; and
Assist in developing, promoting and implementing best practices and standards in the private and public sectors regarding greenhouse gas management.

Why was ACCO created?

ACCO grew from a growing consensus among corporate, institutional and government leaders that taking action on climate change is a responsible business decision that makes fiscal sense. “From market shifts to regulatory constraints, climate change poses real risks and opportunities that companies must begin planning for today, or risk losing ground to their more forward-thinking competitors. Prudent steps taken now to address climate change can improve a company’s competitive position relative to its peers and earn it a seat at the table to influence climate policy.” (“Getting Ahead of the Curve: Corporate Strategies”, Pew Center on Global Climate Change)

As industry, non-profit institutions and government increasingly focus on addressing climate change, they have developed a need to identify professionals with clearly defined expertise in helping develop and maintain core climate change strategies. These strategies include providing interdisciplinary solutions to energy consumption and efficiency, use of natural resources, choice of supply chains, and product design and delivery. With climate change initiatives having already been adopted by local, state and regional authorities, and most observers predicting that national legislation will take place in the near future, corporations cannot put off developing strategies to manage risk and capitalize on opportunities in existing and future marketplaces.

Organizations and corporations in all industries are already affected by heightened climate change awareness, including utilities, manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, insurers, real estate developers, professional services, universities and school systems, non-profit institutions, municipal and state government, federal agencies and others – all must develop and maintain sound climate change strategies. All face significant challenges and can seize competitive advantages and develop cost-saving and revenue-generating opportunities with respect to non-regulated issues -- and many will face financial penalties in the developing carbon-constrained economy.

By advancing the development of climate change officers and creating a forum for the exchange and enhancement of best practices, industry standards and innovation, ACCO will enhance the organization’s credibility and increase public understanding of the role industry, non-profit institutions and government are playing in response to climate change.

Will ACCO take a policy position on climate change?

ACCO will not take any policy positions on climate change, but will provide educational opportunities for members and information to policymakers on how companies are responding to climate change challenges and opportunities (while also spotlighting ACCO members’ innovation and efforts).

Why are climate change officers needed by corporations, non-profit institutions and government?

Consider the following:

The Carbon Disclosure Project included amongst its 2008 results information that 293 of the Global 500 companies reported a board member or executive officer tasked with climate change management responsibility;
Over 600 public and private colleges and universities have become signatories to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC);
More than 1,000 cities are participating in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement;
More than half of American states involved in regional pacts (24 states as members, 10 states formally observing) -- 3 regional initiatives/pacts, 1 state cap-and-trade program, and existing/impending legislation in numerous states;
Hundreds of companies will be required to disclose GHG emissions under the EPA’s recently proposed rule for mandatory reporting of GHG emissions; and
Waxman-Markey and/or any proposed legislative alternatives will result in regulation of additional GHG emitters in all industry sectors and will create a financial infrastructure that penalizes high emitters and rewards those who effectively reduce their emissions below a certain threshold and are consequently able to generate emissions credits.

Given the level of activity described above, how can we expect that any of these entities would be successful in developing and implementing successful GHG management strategies? If they do not have the following core issues addressed properly, successful response will be unattainable:

Appropriate leadership and staff with the skills and knowledge to be successful in this arena;
An effective organizational structure and progressive organizational culture; and
Individuals and teams that are empowered sufficiently to succeed at the goals bestowed upon them (or that they develop themselves).

In a challenging economy, no entity, public or private, can afford to conduct operations that are inefficient, increase risks, result in loss of revenues or otherwise damage the organization’s ability to be successful in its mission. With regional initiatives well under way that establish requirements (e.g. California’s AB 32, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, etc.), EPA establishing registry requirements, Congress poised to pass climate and energy legislation, and the impacts of climate change already being felt in the forms of heightened droughts and severe weather systems, it is more important than ever that professionals with the proper knowledge and skills be in the position to manage the impacts of climate change and related policy on behalf of their employers.

Addressing GHG considerations is new to most organizations (public and private sector). All organizations must:

Know how to determine a GHG footprint properly;
Determine the impact of global warming on operations and resources;
Understand the legal implications of statements made regarding GHG footprint claims, results of reduction measures, and impacts on operations;
Understand the regulatory compliance requirements that must be met; and
Develop sound strategies that enable their organizations to reduce their emissions without negatively impacting the bottom line.

Those that do not act proactively and appropriately will find their efforts in adapting to and fighting climate change to be ineffective, and in many cases, those efforts will create other problems for their employers.

What are examples of duties and responsibilities of a climate change officer?

Climate change officers are responsible for developing, managing and helping implement a comprehensive corporate climate change strategy. Their duties may include:

Conducting an emissions profile assessment by analyzing GHG emissions profile through direct and indirect operations;
Identifying whether and how the supply chain and users should be incorporated into the emissions profile;
Developing systems for measuring, tracking and reporting direct and indirect GHG emissions;
Developing a GHG monitoring system for measuring performance and progress against the climate change strategy and established benchmarks, as well as for monitoring energy efficiency measures;
Producing annual climate change reports on successes and failures in responding to climate change challenges and opportunities;
Preparing and submitting reports to government agencies, investors/stakeholders, consumers and other external entities on risks and opportunities resulting from climate change and related policy impacts on operations;
Working with national, regional and local organizations and government agencies to assist in the preparation, monitoring and review of relevant strategic policies on climate change and sustainable energy issues, including the development of partnerships to enhance the company's working relationships with industry, environmental groups and government agencies;
Promoting the use of sustainable and renewable sources of energy and reduction in GHG emissions internally, to vendors and customers of the company, and to the community in general;
Developing and delivering effective training programs to executive leadership and middle management, and developing and sustaining effective working relationships with executive leadership and facilities and middle management;
Working with public relations and marketing personnel to develop and publish a range of publicity materials, undertake press and publicity activities related to climate change and alternative/renewable energy, and ensure that communications about recent or ongoing efforts related to climate change response are articulated appropriately;
Maintaining an expertise and knowledge on climate change, energy efficiency and sustainability agenda by means of training, workshops and seminars;
Coordinating the company's climate change meetings and activities to reduce the company's environmental impact;
Preparing guidance on climate change and energy matters as they impact current and future operations and/or activities;
Work with leadership and middle management to ensure cultural change and progressive responsibility for system-wide reduction of GHG emissions; and
Developing systems to assure compliance with existing and emerging GHG emissions control requirements.

What are some examples of goals that ACCO will aim to achieve?

ACCO will endeavor to advance the professional knowledge, skills and experience of those dedicated to developing and managing GHG strategies, and to promote the development and implementation of best practices involving organizational structures and incentives. Some examples of goals will include:

Enhance credibility and understanding of critical role climate change officers play, while enabling companies to stay ahead of the curve in addressing challenges brought on by climate change and climate change policy;
Advance standards of climate change efforts and professional climate change officers;
Provide a resource for businesses and government seeking expertise in the fields of climate change and energy;
Promote and enhance collegial and professional relationships among members of ACCO and its committees and between the ACCO and other professional organizations;
Enhance public awareness of ACCO and the duties and needs of its members, and promote working relationships with other related professional, industry and government organizations;
Develop a certification and re-certification program for practitioners on the basis of regulatory requirements, professional competence, study and experience; and
Provide a platform of continuing professional education for its membership to maintain current and active expertise in the laws, rules, regulations, court decisions and best practices involving climate change and energy.

Why is certification for a climate change officer important?

Career opportunities for climate change officers are already plentiful in Europe and are increasing as heightened awareness in the United States is resulting in market demands and impending regulation. However, untrained and under-qualified personnel will not be able to help businesses address the extraordinarily wide-ranging and sophisticated issues related to developing and managing corporate climate change strategies. The “consumer” of the corporate climate change officer will become more vigilant and demanding as the legal responsibilities and government expectations continue to grow, become more complicated and carry significant penalties if not met. This is exacerbated by the media’s ever increasing attention to climate change and energy issues. Certification of the climate change professional is designed to satisfy the concerns and requirements of employers, consumers and government.

Who will set the standards for the CCO certification?

ACCO hopes to create its certification program in cooperation with a nationally recognized test development and administration company that is well acquainted with the standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) in order to ensure that the standards applied will meet or exceed the requirements set forth by the NCCA. Together with a group of experts in a wide-range of climate change related issues, a thorough job analysis will be conducted to delineate and validate the primary domains, tasks, knowledge, and skills of the certified professional. ACCO will begin testing in the third quarter of 2009.

Will there be a continuing education requirement for the CCO certification?

Due to the continuous changes in climate change policy worldwide, as well as the evolution of the climate change officer's role and function, the CCO certification will require that a minimum number of hours be spent in the form of receiving education and training from approved sources. ACCO will establish a committee to oversee this process.

Who should join ACCO?

Any individual with an active interest in developing and managing corporate climate change strategies and compliance with existing and impending policy at the municipal, state, regional, national and international levels, as well as companies and institutions that employ them, should join ACCO. Additional “affiliate” memberships will be made available to businesses, organizations, government and other institutions. The association will be open to both U.S. and international members.

What are the benefits of joining ACCO?

Access to CCO Connect^TM, a virtual office and community for ACCO’s members, advisory board, business partners and staff that enables document sharing, discussion boards, polling, database management, library development and real-time web meetings.

ACCO’s Education Programs on climate change strategies, legislation and regulation, and best practices, including ACCO certification exam preparation.

Access to ACCO’s Advisory Board and Business Partners, which includes government officials in the EPA, municipal and state government, distinguished thought leaders at leading non-profit institutions and universities, and more.

Recognition by the media, public, industry and government as a key sponsor to this effort and as a thought leader on climate change issues.

ACCO’s Annual Meeting and Trade Show will provide the highest level of networking opportunities and professional development programs plus “get-to-know” social events.

ACCO’s Job Bank will be an online resource allowing employers to post job openings and members to post resumes. FREE resume listings will be provided for Certified and Professional Members.

ACCO’s Web Site (www.ACCOonline.org) will offer online access to ACCO and its expanding list of member benefit programs and services. A “members only” section for access to ACCO’s membership directory will offer an easy way to exchange ideas, opinions and get questions answered.
ACCO’s Certification Program will acknowledge members’ status, qualifications, expertise and credentials in conducting compliance duties, climate change strategy development, consulting, footprint and lifecycle evaluation, and other related services. The program will provide Certified ACCO Members with a powerful career advantage while providing their employers and clients the comfort of knowing that the member has met ACCO’ high standards of knowledge, experience and testing.
ACCO’s Bi-monthly Newsletter, Climate Change Today, will be issued to keep members up-to-date on member benefits, education programs, special events, and the latest legislative and regulatory developments. Additionally, the newsletter will include: an educational column, a member profile, job listings, new member listings, and other valuable industry news.

ACCO’s Publications Catalog offers online discounts on book, journal and newsletter subscriptions, study programs, and compact discs on topics of interest to climate change officers.

ACCO's Speakers Bureau will provide an online source of speakers for climate change conferences, customer or employee training seminars, and/or public sector events. Certified and Professional Members can post their bios and speaking topics for FREE.