Carbon Accounting Advisor Association Establishes "Literacy Member" for Companies with Fewer Than 100 Employees

July 2, 2026

General Incorporated Association Carbon Accounting Advisor Association

General Incorporated Association Carbon Accounting Advisor Association (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Representative Director Shuichiro Suzuki) has established a new membership category, "Literacy Member," for companies with 100 or fewer employees, aiming to widely utilize the Carbon Accounting Advisor qualification system across many companies. This system is intended to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) systematically acquire knowledge and practical know-how regarding carbon neutrality, deepen their understanding of their own decarbonization management, and improve employee skills.

1. Overview of Literacy Members

Item

Details

Target

Companies with 100 or fewer employees

Membership Fee

Free

Annual Fee

30,000 yen (excluding tax)

Eligible Qualifications

Carbon Accounting Advisor Qualifications Level 3 and Level 2

Main Benefits

Provide lecture and examination fees for Level 3 and Level 2 qualifications at member prices

Other Benefits

Participation in free online seminars, listing of member company names on the association's website, access to some content on the corporate member-exclusive page

*For details, please visit the official website (https://www.caai.or.jp/literacy/index.html).

2. Background: Growing Demand for GHG Emissions Calculation and Reporting for SMEs

Towards the realization of carbon neutrality, it is becoming important for companies not only to "how to reduce" GHG emissions but also to "how to measure" them. In recent years, not only large corporations but also SMEs that form supply chains are increasingly being asked by their business partners to calculate and report their GHG emissions.

On the other hand, SMEs face challenges such as a lack of specialized personnel, insufficient learning opportunities, and cost burdens, making it difficult to know where to start with decarbonization management initiatives. Against this backdrop, our association has established "Literacy Members" to enable learning about carbon accounting, GHG calculation, and decarbonization management at a low cost.

*GHG (Greenhouse Gas): Refers to gases that absorb and retain heat in the atmosphere, collectively influencing the Earth's temperature.

3. Main Advantages

● Easy to Learn: Systematically learn basic knowledge about carbon neutrality, GHG calculation, and decarbonization management.

● Easy to Start: With no membership fee and an annual fee of 30,000 yen (excluding tax), you can take the first step towards decarbonization at a low cost.

● Easy to Recommend Internally: Employees can use the lectures and exams for Level 3 and Level 2 qualifications at member prices.

● Easy to Respond to Business Partners: Supports the improvement of fundamental capabilities for supplier companies that are required to calculate and report GHG emissions.

● Continuous Learning: Utilize free online seminars, past lecture videos, e-learning content, etc.

4. Utilization Steps as the First Step Towards Decarbonization Management

Understand the necessity → Learn basic knowledge with Level 3/2 → Enhance the skills of internal personnel → Prepare for GHG emissions calculation and reporting to business partners → Lead to continuous decarbonization management.

5. About the Carbon Accounting Advisor Qualification

The Carbon Accounting Advisor qualification is a private certification established with the aim of training specialized personnel who can handle the calculation and disclosure of GHG emissions, which are essential for promoting carbon neutrality. As of the end of March 2026, the cumulative number of "Decarbonization Advisors" produced through the Ministry of the Environment's certification system (Basic and Advanced) has reached 25,295, exceeding 25,000.

Furthermore, approximately one in three domestic successful candidates* hold this qualification in the training of practical personnel supporting decarbonization management, and it is widely being utilized in practical fields.

*Ministry of the Environment: https://policies.env.go.jp/policy/decarbonization_advisor/analysis.pdf

6. Future Outlook

Our association aims to promote GHG calculation methods based on leading international standards, which are essential for promoting carbon neutrality. Through the newly established "Literacy Member" category, we will support SMEs that are beginning to engage in decarbonization management and supplier companies that are being asked by their business partners for GHG emissions reports, contributing to the creation of an environment where decarbonization management can be pursued regardless of company size.

7. Overview of Our Association

Item

Details

Corporate Name

General Incorporated Association Carbon Accounting Advisor Association

Representative

Shuichiro Suzuki

Location

16F NHK Nagoya Hoso Center Building, 1-13-3 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, within Waste Box Co., Ltd.

Established

July 1, 2022

Homepage

https://www.caai.or.jp/

Contact

info@caai.or.jp

End