On the one hand, the course provides specialized knowledge on the design, implementation, and operation of a sustainability management system within a company, as well as on life cycle assessments and industry-specific regulatory guidelines. It also explains German and European environmental law, the benefits of environmental management systems, ISO 14001, and the necessary knowledge in the areas of waste management, water and air pollution control, and hazardous substances and chemicals law. In addition, you’ll learn the basics of communication in the digital age using both traditional and modern communication tools such as email and video conferencing.
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Certificates: "Sustainability manager with TÜV Rheinland-certified qualification" certificate
Certificate "Environmental protection officer with TÜV Rheinland-certified qualification"
Digital Communication" certificate -
Examination: Praxisbezogene Projektarbeiten mit Abschlusspräsentationen
Nachhaltigkeitsmanager:in mit TÜV Rheinland geprüfter Qualifikation
Umweltschutzbeauftragte:r mit TÜV Rheinland geprüfter Qualifikation -
Teaching Times: Full-timeMonday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. (in weeks with public holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.)
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Language of Instruction: German
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Duration: 12 Weeks
Sustainability manager with TÜV Rheinland-certified qualification
Introduction to the topic of sustainability (approx. 2 days)
Term/definition of sustainability
Meaning of value orientation, social responsibility
Sustainable Development Goals (the 17 goals)
Sustainable corporate management: CSR/ESG, governance, strategic anchoring
Stakeholder orientation and management
Instruments, models and systems of sustainable management with CSR and ESG model
Tasks, roles and interfaces of sustainability managers
Environment and risk analyses (approx. 2 days)
Presentation of tools and models
Stakeholder analysis with requirements
Analysis of sustainability factors
Double materiality analysis
Framework conditions, laws, regulations (approx. 2 days)
Legal regulations of the EU/BRD
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
DIN EN ISO 26000:2021
ZNU standard for sustainable management
DIN EN ISO 14040/14044 and 14064/14067 (life cycle assessment and carbon footprint)
CO₂ certificates
Sustainability in companies (approx. 2 days)
Sustainability in operational processes and procedures
Standardized management systems
Communication, participation and change aspects
Goals, mission statements, values, code of conduct
Sustainability management tools
Monitoring, measurement and CIP
Sustainability reporting (approx. 3 days)
Introduction to sustainability reporting: objectives, target groups, benefits
CSRD/ESRS (basic structure, terms and disclosures)
Reporting and due diligence obligations
Reporting tools, logos, seals and symbols
Common sustainability standards and frameworks (e.g. with DNK, GRI)
Insight into the (CSR) sustainability report
Conception, coordination and preparation of a sustainability report
Development of a sustainability management system (approx. 4 days)
Basic analysis - identification of gaps between existing management system regulations
Integration strategy and planning
Roadmap development with AI: priorities, portfolio of measures, resources and schedule
Design and implementation of a sustainability management system (NMS)
Integration into existing management systems
Sustainability controlling with key performance indicators (KPIs): Control, reporting capability, monitoring of measures
Innovations and current trends (approx. 2 days)
International and supranational initiatives
Climate protection and human rights in supply chains
Sustainable corporate culture and communication
Greenwashing
Sustainable digitalization
AI trends in the context of sustainability: opportunities, limits, ethical guard rails
Project work, certification preparation and certification exam "Sustainability Manager: in TÜV Rheinland certified qualification" (approx. 3 days)
Environmental protection officer with TÜV Rheinland-certified qualification
Fundamentals (approx. 2 days)
Environmental Law: Operator Obligations, Responsibilities, and Liability
Rights and Obligations of Facility Representatives
Environmental Liability Act
Administrative Offenses and Environmental Criminal Law
Role of Environmental Protection Officers in the Company
The Relationship Between Environmental Law, Compliance, and Environmental Management
AI-Supported Research, Documentation, and Record-Keeping
Environmental Management Systems and ISO 14001 (approx. 1.5 days)
Fundamentals and Benefits of Environmental Management Systems
Structure and Basic Principles of ISO 14001
Harmonized Structure (HS)
Environmental Management and Legal Requirements in the Workplace
Documentation and Record-Keeping
AI in Environmental Management and Compliance Requirements
Waste Management (approx. 3 days)
Waste Law
Circular Economy and Waste Management Act
Subordinate regulations, including the NachwV, AVV, AbfAEV, and EfbV
Distinction between products and waste; product-specific regulations (e.g., commercial waste)
Water protection (approx. 3 days)
Water law
Water Resources Act (WHG)
Wastewater levy and water usage fees
Indirect discharger ordinance
Sub-legal regulations, including AwSV, AbwV (wastewater disposal/discharge, handling of substances hazardous to water)
Immission control (approx. 4 days)
Immission control law
Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG)
Subordinate legislation to the BImSchG (including BImSchV, TA-Luft, TA-Lärm)
Other relevant legal regulations, including UVPG
Plant approval
Implementation of the IED Directive
Hazardous Substances and Chemicals Law (approx. 3.5 days)
Fundamentals of Handling Hazardous Substances (including GefStoffV, TRGS)
ChemG
Requirements for the storage of hazardous substances according to VbF and TRGS
Safety Data Sheets and Operating Instructions
Dangerous Goods as Distinct from Waste Management Law
Basics of GGVSEB and ADR
Project work, certification preparation and certification examination "Environmental Protection Officer with TÜV Rheinland-certified qualification" (approx. 3 days)
Digital communication
Basics (approx. 2 days)
What is "digital communication"?
Differentiation from analog communication
Communication channels (e-mail, chat, social media)
Advantages and disadvantages of digital communication (always on, data integration, internationalization, interactivity)
Digital rhetoric and netiquette
Legal foundations and AI (approx. 1.5 days)
Media and copyright law
Data protection (GDPR) and data security
Basics of secure digital communication (e.g. encryption)
Using AI correctly in everyday working life
Media competence (approx. 1 day)
How algorithms work
Recognizing fake news
Confirmation bias
Prompt engineering
Dealing critically with AI-generated content
Corporate Communications (approx. 2 days)
Connected Work Environments/Collaborative Work
New Work and Digital Collaboration
Corporate Communication
Digital Business Models and Tools
Digital Transformation in Corporate Culture
Social Networks
Social Intranet
Video Conferencing
Customer communication (approx. 2.5 days)
Importance and structure of e-commerce
Customer experience (CX)
Medium selection in digital customer contact
Communication requirements at the customer touchpoint
Definition and implementation of conversation goals
Active and solution-oriented conversation management
Chatbots
AI in customer contact
E-mails in the digital age (approx. 1 day)
Customer-oriented e-mail design
Professional formulations
Choosing the right font style
Use of text modules
Spam filter
AI-supported optimization of emails
Video conferences and telephone calls (approx. 2 days)
Preparation of online meetings
Methods and tools for successful
online meetings
Typical pitfalls in online calls
Technical and organizational framework conditions
Effect of body language and voice in front of the camera
Active listening and controlling the conversation
Radiating confidence and competence
Invitation, preparation and follow-up (taking minutes)
Conflict Management (approx. 1 day)
Causes of Conflicts
Conflict Models
Communication Barriers
Stages of Conflict Resolution
Roles in Conflict Resolution
Online Backlash and Trolls
Project work (approx. 2 days)
To consolidate the content learned
Presentation of the project results
Complaints management
Introduction to complaint management (approx. 1 day)
Complaints as an opportunity for the company
Causes and types of complaints
Understanding customer behavior
Complaint management systems
Complaints in digital channels (e.g. reviews, social media)
The Psychology of Complaints (approx. 1 day)
Recognizing Behavioral Patterns
Customer Needs and Expectations
Levels of Relationship
Dealing with Different Types of Customers
Reaction to complaints (approx. 0.5 days)
Initial reaction: timing and tonality
Analysis of complaints
Key factors
Complaints handling (approx. 1 day)
Guidelines for the professional handling of complaints and grievances
Procedure of a complaint discussion
Use of AI to support the handling of complaints
De-escalation (approx. 0.5 days)
De-escalation strategies and dealing with difficult customers
Maintaining a professional attitude and setting boundaries
Project work (approx. 1 day)
To consolidate the content learned
Presentation of the project results
Changes are possible, the course content is updated regularly.
After attending this course, you will know how to set up and maintain effective sustainability management in a company and how to implement a corresponding roadmap in accordance with legal guidelines. You will also be able to draw up a life cycle assessment and implement basic sustainability reporting in a practical manner.
In addition, after completing this course, you will have a solid understanding of European and German environmental law. You will be able to assess legal requirements related to corporate environmental protection and understand the fundamental connections between environmental law, compliance, and environmental management systems.
You will also acquire comprehensive skills in digital communication and use various communication channels in a targeted and customer-oriented manner. You will conduct conversations confidently, in a solution-oriented manner and in a way that is appropriate for the target audience - even in challenging situations. You will also be able to handle complaints professionally, apply de-escalation strategies and contribute to increasing customer satisfaction.
Targeted sustainability management is essential for companies to remain successful in the long term. Employees with specialist knowledge in the field of sustainability are in demand in companies of all sizes.
People with additional qualifications as environmental protection officers are sought after both in large industrial companies and in public authorities. Environmental protection officers are mainly employed in municipalities, ministries and state and federal authorities.
You will also acquire skills in dealing directly with customers.
Didactic concept
Your lecturers are highly qualified both professionally and didactically and will teach you from the first to the last day (no self-study system).
You will learn in effective small groups. The courses usually consist of 6 to 25 participants. The general lessons are supplemented by numerous practical exercises in all course modules. The practice phase is an important part of the course, as it is during this time that you process what you have just learned and gain confidence and routine in its application. The final section of the course involves a project, a case study or a final exam.
Virtual classroom alfaview®
Lessons take place using modern alfaview® video technology - either from the comfort of your own home or at our premises at Bildungszentrum. The entire course can see each other face-to-face via alfaview®, communicate with each other in lip-sync voice quality and work on joint projects. Of course, you can also see and talk to your connected trainers live at any time and you will be taught by your lecturers in real time for the entire duration of the course. The lessons are not e-learning, but real live face-to-face lessons via video technology.
The courses at alfatraining are funded by Agentur für Arbeit and are certified in accordance with the AZAV approval regulation. When submitting a Bildungsgutscheinor Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, the entire course costs are usually covered by your funding body.
Funding is also possible via Europäischen Sozialfonds (ESF), Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) or regional funding programs. As a regular soldier, you have the option of attending further training courses via Berufsförderungsdienst (BFD). Companies can also have their employees qualified via funding from Agentur für Arbeit (Qualifizierungschancengesetz).