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Sustainability Excellence program

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What is the Sustainability Excellence program?

Professionals who work to further sustainability initiatives can be found across all sectors, industries, and types of organizations. The Sustainability Excellence program provides third-party recognition of the knowledge, skills, and abilities these sustainability professionals use to foster organizational transformation. It is also designed to build a pipeline for a new workforce of sustainability professionals to emerge and thrive.

The program offers two professional credentials, the Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) and Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP), which were originally developed by our partners at the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP). ISSP created the program with research gathered from hundreds of sustainability professionals and organizations in order to define the core competencies required to be effective in the sustainability field.

What are the credentials offered by the program?

There are two professional credentials offered by the program:

  • The Sustainability Excellence Associate, or SEA, credential demonstrates an understanding of core sustainability concepts, and is designed for emerging sustainability professionals, including students, recent graduates or professionals looking to incorporate sustainability best practices into their career.
  • The Sustainability Excellence Professional, or SEP, demonstrates advanced knowledge and experience in the field of sustainability, and recognizes leaders and experts who are at the forefront of the transition to a more sustainable world.

Each credential is earned by meeting the eligibility requirements and passing an exam. Earning the SEA credential is a prerequisite for the SEP credential. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for each credential here.

What roles do GBCI and our partners at the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) have in the program?

GBCI and ISSP are separate organizations. GBCI owns and administers the SEA and SEP credentials, and is responsible for ongoing updates to the program and credential exams. ISSP, who originally developed the program, now partners with GBCI to offer best-in-class education to support exam preparation, credential maintenance and professional development.


Any inquiries about earning an SEA or SEP credential, exam registration and delivery, or program policies should be sent to GBCI by emailing sustainabilityexcellence@gbci.org.


Any inquiries about ISSP offerings or study materials should be emailed to info@sustainabilityprofessionals.org.

 

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