Build your zero-carbon expertise.
The Zero Carbon Building Standards certify buildings. The Zero Carbon Building Micro-Credentials train the people who work on them. This page covers the credentials.
Zero-carbon buildings aren’t a niche specialty — they’re the standard developers, owners, and regulators are coming to expect. CAGBC’s Zero Carbon Building Micro-Credentials give you a structured, recognized way to build in-demand expertise, whether you’re new to zero-carbon concepts or ready to lead retrofit and new-construction projects.
There are two micro-credentials, designed to meet you where you are:
- ZCB-Essentials™ – the foundation. Learn the core concepts behind zero-carbon building design and performance. Built for Professionals new to zero-carbon buildings or seeking a comprehensive overview.
- ZCB-Practitioner™ – the next step. Apply that foundation to real-world projects, including deep carbon retrofits. Built for professionals actively delivering design, retrofit, or portfolio-level decarbonization work
Each credential is earned through a mix of on-demand courses, an interactive workshop, and course quizzes requiring a 80 percent minimum grade to pass. Successful learners earn a certificate and digital badge to showcase on LinkedIn and other platforms via Credly.
Three steps to earn your micro-credential
Which credential should you start with?
Most professionals will benefit from both credentials over time.
Essentials builds your foundation; Practitioner offers applied, project-ready skills.
Already confident with the fundamentals? Go straight to Practitioner.
New to zero carbon? Start with Essentials — you can move on to Practitioner whenever you’re ready.
| Start with Essentials if… | Start with Practitioner if… | |
| Your situation | You’re new to green building or zero-carbon concepts | You’re already working on low-carbon buildings or retrofits and want applied, project-ready skills |
| You’ll learn | What makes a building “zero carbon,” core concepts (TEDI, embodied carbon, carbon balance), and the certification requirements | How to plan, design, and deliver zero-carbon strategies in new construction and existing buildings, including deep retrofit planning |
| Prerequisite | None | Recommended: complete Essentials first (or have equivalent working knowledge) |
ZCB-Essentials™ – Build Your Foundation
Who it’s for
Anyone new to green building or zero-carbon concepts looking to build a foundational understanding.
What you get
ZCB-Essentials is a curated bundle of courses from the team behind the Zero Carbon Building Standards. You’ll gain the fundamental knowledge to apply zero-carbon concepts to real building projects, and a badge to show for it.
Course details
Course breakdown
- Introduction to the ZCB Standards (prerequisite for all other courses) – an overview of what constitutes a zero-carbon building, the guiding principles behind the Standards, and the requirements of ZCB-Design and ZCB-Performance. Delivered as an on demand, or as a live webinar with an instructor (check our Event Calendar for the next session).
- Making the Case for Building to Zero Carbon
- Introduction to Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI)
- Calculating the Zero Carbon Balance: An Overview
- Introduction to Embodied Carbon in Buildings
- Fundamentals of Zero Carbon Transition Planning
All five core-concept courses must be completed with a minimum 80% quiz score before moving on to the workshop.
The workshop
Zero Carbon Building Standards Interactive Workshop – apply what you’ve learned through real-world examples with experienced instructors, using existing case studies and ZCB documentation with the Zero Carbon Building Standards Interactive Workshop. Offered quarterly as a live webinar over two 2.5-hour sessions. Check the Events Calendar for the next date.
Earning the badge
Complete the Introduction, all five core-concept courses, and the workshop, passing each quiz with a minimum of 80%, to earn the ZCB-Essentials™ badge — issued via Credly and shareable on LinkedIn and other platforms.
Get started
Courses can be purchased individually, but you can save 15% when you enroll in all courses through the ZCB-Essentials Bundle.
ZCB-Practitioner™ – Apply It to Real Projects
Who it’s for
Professionals across design, building, and real estate currently delivering low-carbon buildings and retrofits, ready to move from concepts to hands-on implementation.
What you get
ZCB-Practitioner builds on ZCB-Essentials, deepening your knowledge of zero-carbon projects to address evolving market needs — including transition planning and deep carbon retrofits. You’ll build the applied skills to plan, design, and implement zero-carbon strategies in both new construction and existing buildings, preparing you to deliver projects aligned with the ZCB-Design and ZCB-Performance Standards.
Course details
Course breakdown
- Embodied Carbon in Practice: From wbLCA to Procurement Decisions
- Operational Carbon, Energy Efficiency, and Peak Demand
- Strategic Carbon Transition Planning for Existing Buildings
- Building the Business Case for Decarbonization Retrofits
All four courses must be completed with a minimum 80% quiz score before moving on to the workshop.
The workshop
Decarbonizing Existing Buildings: Retrofit Design and Implementation Workshop is a practical, scenario-based session guiding participants through preparing and implementing deep carbon retrofits. It includes group discussions on cross-disciplinary impacts and system interactions. Offered quarterly as a live webinar, delivered in a single four-hour session. Check the Events Calendar for the next date.
Earning the badge
Complete all four courses and the workshop, passing each quiz with a minimum of 80%, to earn the ZCB-Practitioner™ badge – issued via Credly and shareable on LinkedIn and other platforms.
Get started
Courses can be purchased individually, but you can save 15% when you enroll in all courses through the ZCB-Practitioner Bundle.
Be ready for your next LEED v5 project with CAGBC’s introductory bundle.