By Mark Segal
October 9, 2026
The Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals (ISEP) has officially announced the launch of a comprehensive, multi-tier Register of Carbon Accountants and Auditors (RCAA). This new professional accreditation system is designed to establish a definitive industry benchmark for communicating the qualifications, skills, and expertise of professionals working within the rapidly expanding field of carbon accounting.
The rollout of the RCAA arrives at a critical juncture for the corporate and financial sectors. As organizations worldwide face mounting pressures from investors, consumers, and lawmakers to accurately measure and aggressively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, the demand for robust, reliable carbon data has skyrocketed. At the same time, standardized climate reporting frameworks—most notably the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) systems—are rapidly expanding and becoming mandatory across major global jurisdictions.
Despite this heightened focus on environmental transparency, the methodologies, approaches, and levels of professional expertise among individuals conducting carbon accounting have historically varied widely. This lack of a unified standard has sometimes left organizations vulnerable to inconsistencies, data discrepancies, and greenwashing concerns. The new ISEP register aims to resolve these challenges by offering a trusted, standardized framework that verifies professional capability.
ISEP CEO Sarah Mukherjee emphasized the necessity of independent validation in corporate decarbonization efforts. As organizations look to decarbonize and reduce their environmental footprint, it is essential to have access to independently assessed, high-quality data and advice. Without credible verification of the professionals producing these calculations, the integrity of corporate climate targets can be called into question.
Developed in close collaboration with the Carbon Accounting Alliance (CAA), the newly established register is intended to provide corporate leaders, regulatory bodies, and various reporting schemes with absolute confidence in the qualifications and hands-on experience of the professionals handling their carbon accounting needs. By creating a reliable external validation mechanism, ISEP and the CAA hope to elevate the standard of practice across the entire industry.
The RCAA is structured to encompass four distinct professional tiers, mapping out a clear career progression for practitioners in the field. The system includes the already-launched entry-level Technical Associate grade, which is specifically designed to recognize foundational knowledge in carbon accounting principles. In addition to this foundational tier, ISEP has introduced two new advanced levels: the Registered Practitioner and the Principal Carbon Accountant. These progressive levels reflect increasingly greater professional responsibility, deep technical expertise, and substantial operational experience. Rounding out the framework is a fourth grade, known as the Registered Carbon Accounting Auditor, which is planned for future implementation to cover independent auditing functions.
Through the establishment of this comprehensive register, ISEP intends to actively promote effective and consistent carbon accounting practices. By setting high-quality standards grounded in the actual knowledge and practical experience of field professionals, the institute aims to enhance the professional credibility of registered carbon accountants and auditors alike. Furthermore, the system provides a clearly defined career pathway for carbon accountants, offering meaningful opportunities for professional growth, peer recognition, and career advancement in a discipline that is becoming central to global commerce.
Andrew Griffiths, Co-Founder of the Carbon Accounting Alliance, highlighted the milestone achievement that the full launch represents for the sector. With all three levels of professional registration for Carbon Accountants fully launched, our industry finally has a robust and transparent approach to the formal qualification of credible carbon foot-printing expertise, Griffiths noted. He added that this development will provide both practitioners and the end-users of corporate sustainability data with much-needed confidence in the rigorous skills of the individuals undertaking complex emissions calculations.
