ASHRAE announced its inaugural cohort of Certified Decarbonization Professionals (CDPs), marking a significant step forward in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment.

The Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) program, initiated and funded by the ASHRAE Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization, is an international certification that validates the competency of decarbonization professionals to assess, analyze, and develop effective and sustainable strategies to reduce or eliminate the life-cycle carbon footprint of buildings. This certification, developed in a record 11 months, enables industry professionals to demonstrate to peers, employers and building owners competency in critical building decarbonization job tasks. 

Since the program's launch earlier this year, the CDP has been the most applied-for ASHRAE certification, highlighting its importance and relevance in today's building and energy sectors.  

"Decarbonization is essential to our global sustainability goals, and ASHRAE is committed to empowering professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the charge," said 2024-25 ASHRAE President M. Dennis Knight, P.E., BEMP, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE. "The Certified Decarbonization Professional program is not just a milestone for ASHRAE, but a much needed tool for the industry as we work toward a net-zero future."

The CDP certification program is designed for professionals who are responsible for decarbonizing new and existing buildings. Eligibility requirements include education and work experience, a code of professional conduct and passing a rigorous certification exam validating competency in building decarbonization job tasks across eight domains, which include decarbonization drivers, project planning and development, construction and renovation, passive and active efficiency, facility management and distributed energy resources.  

ASHRAE’s Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization provided the vision and resources to make this certification possible. The Center supports ASHRAE’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the built environment through a range of initiatives, including education, research and the development of innovative tools and resources.

For more information about the ASHRAE Certified Decarbonization Professional program and how to apply, visit ashrae.org/certification.