Organisations in Africa face climate impacts that are already costing money: failed rains, heat stress, sea-level rise and damaged roads and water systems. At the same time, development partners, export buyers and national policy are asking for measured emissions, adaptation plans and evidence of progress. Teams that cannot produce a credible inventory or a risk-based adaptation plan risk losing access to finance and markets.

This programme is structured around two linked disciplines. The first is adaptation: identifying climate hazards, assessing exposure and vulnerability for communities, assets and operations, screening options such as water harvesting, diversification and resilient design, and building them into planning and monitoring. The second is carbon accounting: defining organisational boundaries, collecting activity data, applying emission factors, calculating results by scope and building a base year that supports honest target setting.

Participants then bring the two strands together in a management plan with roles, budgets, indicators and reporting cycles. Delivery relies on spreadsheet workshops, structured case discussions and peer review. By the final day each participant has produced a draft inventory for a sample organisation and an outline climate action plan that can be adapted to their own institution.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the science, policy architecture and finance landscape of climate action, including the Paris Agreement and nationally determined contributions.
• Conduct a climate risk and vulnerability assessment for an organisation, programme or community.
• Screen and prioritise adaptation options using cost, benefit and feasibility criteria.
• Build a greenhouse gas inventory covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3 using the GHG Protocol.
• Select emission factors, manage data quality and document calculations for verification.
• Set emission reduction targets and identify abatement measures.
• Draft a climate action plan with indicators, responsibilities and reporting arrangements.

The programme is for those who must plan, measure or report on climate action, including:

• Sustainability and environment managers in companies
• HSE and compliance officers
• Climate change focal points in ministries, counties and agencies
• Programme managers and advisers at NGOs and development partners
• Finance, risk and procurement staff dealing with climate disclosures
• Agribusiness and manufacturing operations managers
• Consultants preparing carbon footprints and adaptation studies
• Researchers and project officers working on climate finance

Participants leave the course with:

• A working spreadsheet model for a Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon footprint.
• A climate risk register and vulnerability matrix for their own context.
• A shortlist of adaptation measures ranked against clear criteria.
• A draft emission reduction target with the actions that would deliver it.
• An outline climate action plan with owners, indicators and timelines.
• A map of climate finance and carbon market routes relevant to their organisation.

The course alternates concepts with applied work so participants practise what they will do back at their desks:

• Spreadsheet labs for emissions calculation using sample organisational data
• Participatory exercises that simulate community vulnerability assessment
• Case studies from agriculture, manufacturing, water utilities and local government
• Small-group drafting of a risk register and an action plan
• Peer review and trainer feedback on each draft

Attendance at the full five days and completion of the inventory and planning exercises earns a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion, awarded by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.