The MFRE Micro-Certificate in Environmental Metrics for Sustainability Reporting is a flexible 12-week online professional development program that provides insight into the fundamentals of sustainability reporting with a unique emphasis on environmental metric data management and decision making.

The micro-certificate consists of the following courses:

• Course 1: ESG Fundamentals and Environmental Decisions (3 weeks)
• Course 2: Data Gathering and Management for GHG Emissions and Food Waste (3 weeks)

• Course 3: Select ONE of either Course 3 a or 3b Specialization Options:

  • Course 3a:ESG in Agribusiness (3 weeks)
  • Course 3b:Sustainable Package Decision Making for Food Service and Processing (3 weeks)

• Course 4: Environmental Assessment, Strategy Creation, and Sustainability Reporting (3 weeks)

  Students complete Courses 1 and 2 first, then select either Course 3a or 3b for sector-specific specialization, and finish with Course 4 on sustainability reporting. The program blends lectures, case studies, software applications, and expert sessions, leading to the Sustainability Reporting and Environmental Metrics Micro-Certificate.

Learning Outcomes:

1. ESG Foundations and Environmental Decision-Making Explore ESG principles, reporting frameworks, and regulatory responses, with applications to climate risk, circular economy, and First Nations perspectives.

2. Data, Metrics, and Tools for GHG and Food Waste Learn to measure and manage GHG emissions and food waste using KPIs, inventories, and data tools in Excel and Power BI.

3. Sector-Specific Sustainability Applications Apply ESG strategies to real-world contexts through specialized courses in agribusiness or sustainable food packaging.

4. Strategy, Risk, and Reporting Integration Develop climate risk management strategies, conduct cost–benefit assessments, and create customized sustainability reports and dashboards.

NEW Courses Added to the Micro-Certificate: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

MFRE has expanded the Micro-Certificate offerings with the development of four new courses focused on specialized sustainability knowledge for the climate, food, and environmental sector. These courses are designed to equip learners with practical and specialized skills relevant to sustainability in various business contexts. The courses are:

• ESG in Agribusiness
• Sustainable Packaging Decision-Making for Food Service and Processing
• Impact of Business on Biodiversity
• Sustainable Waste Management for Business

ESG in Agribusiness: Individuals will learn the key environmental regulations and climate risks specific to the sector, while identifying sustainable operational practices. Additionally, they will learn to apply data tracking and KPI metrics to ensure environmental compliance.

Sustainable Packaging Decision-Making for Food Service and Processing: learners will gain insights into the principles and trends in sustainable packaging. They will also develop Excel-based and Power BI models to evaluate packaging and investment costs, enabling more sustainable decision-making.

Impact of Business on Biodiversity: Individuals will learn the connection between biodiversity and ESG. Learners will apply Excel and Power BI frameworks to review and assess the impact of businesses on biodiversity.

Sustainable Waste Management for Business: Learners will gain knowledge of the core principles of sustainable waste management and environmental economics. They will also track and analyze waste management data to support the implementation of sustainable business practices.