University of Sydney
The Net Zero Sprint
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Beginner
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Course Type: Short Course
- Total Price: $1,245
Discover how to monitor and address your business's carbon emissions while transitioning to net zero.

Course overview
Businesses globally are adopting Net Zero emissions goals in response to changing regulatory environments. Understanding and managing carbon footprints is vital for achieving corporate social responsibility and aligning with global decarbonisation goals.
The Net Zero sprint equips you with the essential knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of carbon accounting, reporting, and reduction strategies within your organisations. This sprint explores the fundamentals of carbon emissions, international and national regulatory frameworks, and the principles of effective emissions management.
Key facts
What you will study
Module 1
Introduction and Background
- In this module, you’ll learn about climate change and its implications for the modern world. We’ll cover the basics of climate science, break down emissions into Scope 1, 2 and 3 and explain their significance for corporate environmental responsibility. This module introduces global and national climate policies and Australia’s response to climate challenges. It lays the groundwork for understanding businesses' critical role in mitigating climate change and the importance of strategic adaptation to future-proof operations.
Module 2
Carbon Reporting
- This module highlights the benefits of emissions reporting for organisations. It discusses global standards for reporting and Australia’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme as key frameworks for emissions inventory. Participants will learn to identify, calculate and manage their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. This
- knowledge equips businesses to make informed decisions about reducing their environmental impact, enhancing operational efficiency and aligning with global sustainability goals.
Module 3
Systems and Targets
- How do you develop a strategic approach to managing climate risk, setting emission reduction targets and decarbonising strategies? It involves integrating climate risk into governance, strategy and risk management processes and identifying clear metrics and ambitious targets to reduce emissions. The module will help participants adopt science-based targets aligned with the Paris Agreement.
Module 4
Decarbonising Strategy
- Now that you’ve identified your emissions and set targets, committing to a decarbonisation strategy is time. But what does that involve for your business? Module 4 will help you determine effective measures for reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency and preparing your organisation to achieve Net Zero.
What you will learn
- Describe national and international goals for decarbonisation.
- Define the greenhouse gas emissions for an organisation and list the associated sources of those emissions.
- Identify actions an organisation can take to reduce emissions associated with significant emission sources.
- Prepare an emissions report and a credible strategy for decarbonising an organisation.
- Understand the global background of climate risk reporting.
- Identify your organisation’s greenhouse gas emissions and sources.
- Prepare a strategy for emissions reporting and accounting.
- Develop actions and approaches to decarbonising your business.
How will you learn
Each module will include around 30-40 minutes of essential video content, and then extra content (such as readings, podcasts, additional videos) if you wish to extend yourself. Workbook activities are comprised of reflective questions that will help you consolidate your learning from the videos and apply this learning to organisations you are familiar with. They should require no more than an hour’s thinking. Workbooks are not assessed; they’re designed to give you chunky questions to think about.
The live sessions will last around 90 minutes, and if you stay, you can enjoy additional networking and question time.
Additional activities like reading, conversations and bonus content will allow you to delve deeper into the topic. After the sprint is complete, you’ll have access to the modules, so you can always return to the extension activities later.