The role of a Certified Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer – EHS (CCSESO-EHS) is central to aligning environmental, health, and safety strategies with enterprise-wide sustainability goals and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The CCSESO-EHS is responsible for integrating sustainability into EHS operations, ensuring transparent ESG reporting, managing stakeholder expectations, and driving long-term value through responsible business practices. This executive role ensures that sustainability is not just a function but a core business enabler that supports regulatory compliance, risk reduction, innovation, and organizational resilience. The Certified Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer – EHS (CCSESO-EHS) certification is a globally respected credential that affirms a leader’s ability to embed ESG metrics and sustainability targets across EHS frameworks.

The CCSESO-EHS certification, awarded by the American Institute of Environment, Health & Safety (AIEHS), represents the highest level of recognition for sustainability professionals with an EHS leadership focus. This credential validates a candidate’s ability to execute integrated sustainability programs, lead ESG disclosures, assess climate and social risks, and align EHS functions with sustainable development goals. Certified professionals are recognized for their ability to manage change, build ESG credibility, and deliver measurable impact in environmental and human performance.

Certification Program Objectives:

• Lead enterprise-wide ESG and sustainability strategies through integrated EHS systems
• Manage climate, biodiversity, and occupational health risks in alignment with ESG frameworks
• Oversee sustainability reporting aligned with GRI, TCFD, SASB, and other global standards
• Drive stakeholder engagement, ethical governance, and sustainable value creation
• Advise executive leadership on ESG performance metrics, regulatory readiness, and sustainability innovation

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

To be considered for this certification, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Possess a Master’s degree from a recognized institution.
• Have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience at a senior management level.

Note: Exceptional candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree with at least 15 years of senior management experience may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Certifying Assessment / Examination:

To earn the Certified Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer – EHS (CCSESO-EHS) certification, candidates must undergo a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation designed to assess their ability to integrate sustainability, health, and safety into ESG-aligned governance and strategy.

As part of this assessment, candidates may be required to deliver a 30-minute executive presentation incorporating ESG strategy design, EHS integration, reporting frameworks, stakeholder communication, and sustainability performance improvement. This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session to evaluate their ability to align sustainability principles with environmental and social risk governance.

For candidates pursuing a C-Level Professional Certification, this assessment may be substituted with a comprehensive examination consisting of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed within a 3-hour timeframe. This examination rigorously evaluates the candidate’s knowledge in ESG regulations, sustainability leadership, EHS risk assessment, responsible investing standards, and climate adaptation planning.

The assessment methodology ensures that the American Institute of Environment, Health & Safety (AIEHS) upholds the highest standards of professional certification, recognizing individuals who drive sustainable performance, regulatory excellence, and ethical leadership.

Certification Modules:

• Module 1: ESG Fundamentals, Regulatory Trends, and Stakeholder Engagement
• Module 2: EHS Integration with Sustainability Strategy and SDG Alignment
• Module 3: ESG Risk Management, Climate Governance, and Materiality Mapping
• Module 4: Sustainability Reporting, Assurance Frameworks, and ESG Metrics
• Module 5: Executive Leadership in ESG Culture, Responsible Innovation, and Long-Term Impact

* The modules of the certification are constantly updated and are subject to change.

Who Should Do This Certification:

The Certified Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer – EHS (CCSESO-EHS) certification is ideal for professionals leading or integrating ESG strategy, sustainability performance, or EHS governance within large organizations or regulated industries.

• Chief sustainability officers, EHS directors, and ESG executives overseeing environmental and social impact initiatives will benefit from robust frameworks and measurable tools
• Aspiring executives preparing to lead ESG integration, corporate sustainability, or regulatory reporting will gain practical insights and governance alignment models
• Organizations in energy, manufacturing, finance, real estate, and logistics aiming to align with global sustainability standards will benefit from cross-disciplinary leadership
• Consultants, ESG analysts, and reporting professionals supporting disclosure, stakeholder engagement, and ESG transformation will enhance credibility and strategic execution
• Investors, risk officers, and compliance professionals evaluating ESG performance will benefit from deeper knowledge of impact measurement, governance systems, and regulatory evolution

Earning the CCSESO-EHS certification signifies your ability to lead a future-focused, accountable, and ethical organization by aligning EHS systems with ESG performance and sustainability commitments. Whether you are embedding ESG into operations, reporting impact, or building stakeholder trust, this certification empowers you to lead with vision, resilience, and global responsibility.