Transitioning to the CC-P® Curriculum “Version 2.0”

This year, ACCO will publish the CC-P® Study Guide, a comprehensive digital textbook designed. to prepare participants for the CC-P® exams. The CC-P® Study Guide is the culmination of a 2-year project of the CC-P® Study Guide Editorial Board to conduct a total review and revision of the CC-P® curriculum, establishing a fully updated set of course modules in line with the latest science, standards, policy and practice.

The publication will establish a “Version 2.0” of the CC-P® curriculum, which will create a need to transition existing and pending participants to ensure that all professionals with the CC-P® credential have a consistent baseline of knowledge and skill (regardless of whether they earned the CC-P® credential prior or subsequent to the publication of this updated curriculum).

Starting May 1, 2023, the CC-P® program will incorporate:

  • Updates to standards, science and common practices

  • More illustrative examples and enhanced graphics

  • Insights from CC-P® professionals and practitioners

  • More samples and details from across geographic regions around the world

  • Broader incorporation of equity and justice implications throughout course modules

  • Revamping of the live online training program to include homework assignments, revised exercises and recommended resources

  • Summer/Fall 2023 publication of a comprehensive study guide (a digital textbook)

Timing of the Transition Phases

  • Live Online Training: ACCO’s Live Online CC-P® Prep Programs offered in 2023 will leverage the “Version 2.0” curriculum. Thus, all new enrollees in these programs from today’s date will be included in this transition.

  • Online Video Self-Study: Beginning May 1, 2023, all online video self-study participants who sign up will be given access to the “Version 2.0” video curriculum, which will be recorded versions of the live training classes referenced above.

  • Digital Text Book Publication: In Fall 2023, the digital text book will be available as a stand-alone purchase, as well as a supplement to those enrolled in either the live online or online video self-study programs.

  • CC-P® Testing: Beginning May 1, 2023, all enrollees of live online and online video-self study packages will take the new CC-P® exams aligned with the “Version 2.0” curriculum.

Course Module Updates in Version 2.0 of the CC-P®

All course modules in the CC-P® curriculum have been updated, the following provides an overview of some of the specific updates:

  • Climate-101: Understanding Climate Science & the Latest Projections
    Incorporates updated climate change science and prospective scenarios, the latest studies on public understanding/opinion, and strategies for communicating

  • Climate-105: Climate Change Impacts on Natural and Human Systems
    Replaces the Climate-103 module providing a broader perspective on climate change impacts on natural and human systems

  • GHG-102: The Fundamentals of the Energy, Water & Food Nexus
    Updates and expansion of data on the energy-water-food nexus

  • GHG-201: Establishing GHG Reduction Goals & Management Structures
    Features the latest greenhouse gas management and goal setting practices

  • Governance-103: Ethics, Liability and Professionalism
    Restructuring of training on ethics, liability and professionalism and is more fully aligned with the Code Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct

  • Economics-101: The Economics of Climate Change
    Revamps the macro and microeconomic content and updates to economic impact resources and content

  • Enterprise-201: Risk Assessment, Management, and Disclosure
    Incorporates the latest in enterprise risk management (ERM), value-based ERM, revised content on materiality and the SEC, and additional methods and resources to assess risk

Implications for Past CC-P Participants Currently in the Testing Pipeline

The current CC-P® curriculum and exams (“Version 1.0”) will be phased out and no longer available to new enrollees beginning May 1, 2023. Individuals who enrolled prior to this date will be given a deadline of August 31, 2023 or 90 days from enrollment (whichever date comes first) to complete the testing, elective and application requirements of the program. After that timeframe, if they have not completed the requirements, participants will need to satisfy exam requirements aligned with the “Version 2.0” curriculum.

After earning the CC-P® credential, individuals with the credential will be subject to the future requirements for CC-P® Professionals.

Future Requirements for Existing CC-P® Professionals

ACCO will be developing a curriculum gap module that bridges the “Version 1.0” and “Version 2.0” curricula. All CC-P® Professionals who earned their credential through the “Version 1.0” curriculum will be required to satisfy a gap curriculum requirement as part of their continuing education requirements by December 31, 2023. Additional details on this plan will be developed and approved by the CC-P® Peer Review Board and announced in Summer/Fall 2023.