Japan's First 94 MOE-Certified Top-Level 'Decarbonization Senior Advisors' Born! GX Certification Produces Over 10,000 Decarbonization Advisors Total

## Overview

Skillup NeXt Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO Shinichi Tahara; hereinafter 'Skillup NeXt') is pleased to announce that 94 candidates passed the '2026 1st GX Certification Specialist' exam (results announced April 2, 2026). This is the first exam held since the certification was recognized as a 'Decarbonization Senior Advisor,' the highest level under the Ministry of the Environment's certification system.

Additionally, the cumulative number of 'Decarbonization Advisors' produced through the 'GX Certification' series (Basic, Advanced, Specialist) has reached 10,744, surpassing the 10,000 mark.

## Background

Starting from the fiscal year ending March 2027, mandatory disclosure of emissions including 'Scope 3' is expected to begin for certain Prime-listed companies, based on the Japanese version of reporting standards formulated by the SSBJ (Sustainability Standards Board of Japan). This movement makes effective decarbonization management an urgent issue not only for listed companies but also for the entire supply chain.

On the other hand, it is predicted that there will be a shortage of approximately 2 million GX (Green Transformation) professionals by 2030. Securing GX talent is crucial for promoting effective decarbonization strategies. Against this background, Skillup NeXt has been focusing on developing practical talent through the 'GX Certification' series since 2023. On February 1, 2026, the company became the only entity in Japan to receive certification for the 'Decarbonization Senior Advisor' from the Ministry of the Environment. The birth of 94 successful candidates in the first exam after this certification marks a major step toward advancing corporate decarbonization management into a practical phase. We will continue to contribute to resolving the GX talent shortage and the sustainable growth of companies.

## Trends and Feedback from the 2026 1st GX Certification Specialist Exam

Looking at the 2026 1st GX Certification Specialist candidates by industry, the Manufacturing sector (23.5%) was the most represented, as Scope 3 compliance across the supply chain is an urgent priority. This was followed by Information & Communications, Services, Finance, Construction, Municipalities, and professional firms, confirming that decarbonization is a 'common social issue' across all sectors.

By age, those aged 35 to 54, who lead practical operations, accounted for 58.1% of the total. Meanwhile, there is also a significant presence of younger people under 30 and seniors over 55. This indicates that advanced knowledge, such as the GHG Protocol, is becoming an essential business skill for leading decarbonization efforts regardless of position or generation.

### Voices from Candidates:
- 'In the field of architectural structures (design), detailed knowledge of GHG emission calculations from an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) perspective is required. I took the exam to systematically acquire the surrounding knowledge needed for this.' (Construction, late 40s)
- 'I want to propose new GX-related business projects to SMEs that deal with large corporations subject to mandatory disclosure.' (Local Municipality, late 50s)
- 'I want to utilize this knowledge in negotiations for obtaining primary data from suppliers.' (Electrical machinery, 60s)
- 'I want to accelerate the promotion of internal GHG reduction measures with the knowledge I've gained.' (Manufacturing, late 20s)

## Over 10,000 Decarbonization Advisors Produced

Launched in June 2023, the 'GX Certification' series is the only certification exam in Japan that covers all three levels (Basic, Advanced, Senior) defined by the Ministry of the Environment's certification system. To date, the series has produced 9,520 Basic level pass holders, 1,130 Advanced level pass holders, and including the newly born Senior Advisors, the cumulative total has reached 10,744.

## Future Developments

The next GX Certification Specialist exam is scheduled to be held from May 13 to May 27, 2026. Applications are accepted until April 22, 2026. Additionally, an online event featuring successful candidates is planned for mid-April to share practical effects and study methods.

## About Skillup NeXt

Skillup NeXt provides one-stop support for corporate GX through 'Skillup Green' courses and 'GX Certification.' As a leader in the GX Talent Market Creation WG under the METI-led GX League, we formulated the 'GX Skill Standards' defining the roles and required skills for GX talent.