Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Environmental Compliance and Regulation

This professional diploma prepares you to lead environmental compliance in a company, port operator or maritime business. You will learn how environmental law allocates civil, administrative and criminal liability, how to design a compliance management system that integrates ISO 37301 and ISO 14001, how to identify and rank environmental risks, how sector rules on emissions, water, soil and waste apply in practice, and how to audit, report and communicate performance without falling into greenwashing.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Environmental Compliance and Regulation?

This professional diploma trains you to turn environmental obligations into a working compliance program. You will study the principles of environmental law, international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, permits and environmental impact assessment, the liability of companies and their board members, sustainability due diligence, the structure of an environmental compliance management system and the role of the compliance officer, obligation maps and legal requirement matrices, whistleblowing channels, risk assessment under ISO 31000, rules on air quality, greenhouse gases, carbon markets and ozone-depleting substances, water, soil, waste and biodiversity regulation, ISO 19011 audits and regulatory inspections, and sustainability reporting under GRI, ISSB and the CSRD.

What sets this professional diploma apart: it approaches environmental protection from the compliance side, focusing on how an organization proves that it meets its obligations rather than on environmental science alone; it treats liability, internal investigations and sanction procedures with the same care as management systems; it covers the whole chain from legal mapping to supplier audits and public reporting; it gives specific attention to greenwashing risk and the verification of sustainability claims; and it ends with a final project in which you build a complete environmental compliance plan for a real company, industry or project.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Legal framework: environmental law principles, international agreements, permits, EIA and corporate liability.
  • Compliance system: ISO 37301 integrated with ISO 14001, compliance officer role, obligation maps and whistleblowing.
  • Risk management: ISO 31000 methods, heat maps, due diligence in transactions and supply chain compliance.
  • Sector rules: air quality, greenhouse gases, carbon markets, water, soil, waste, chemicals and biodiversity.
  • Audit and reporting: ISO 19011 audits, regulatory inspections, KPIs, GRI, ISSB, CSRD and greenwashing risk.
  • Final project: a full environmental compliance plan with gap analysis, risk matrix, procedures and training.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Environmental Compliance and Regulation

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Foundations of compliance and the environmental legal framework

  • 1.1. Principles of environmental law: prevention, precaution, polluter pays and sustainability
  • 1.2. The evolution of environmental compliance and its role in corporate governance (ESG)
  • 1.3. International regulatory framework: multilateral environmental agreements, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement
  • 1.4. National environmental legislation: licenses, permits, authorizations and environmental impact assessment (EIA)
  • 1.5. Legal liability of the company: civil, administrative and criminal environmental liability (environmental offences)
  • 1.6. Liability of board members, managers and compliance officers for environmental breaches
  • 1.7. Global regulatory trends: the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
  • 1.8. European and national environmental legislation
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Design and implementation of an environmental compliance management system

  • 2.1. Structure and requirements of ISO 19600 / ISO 37301 applied to environmental management
  • 2.2. Integrating environmental compliance with ISO 14001 (environmental management systems)
  • 2.3. Defining the environmental compliance policy, its scope and top management commitment
  • 2.4. The environmental compliance officer: functions, independence, authority and resources
  • 2.5. Building the map of environmental obligations and the matrix of applicable legal requirements
  • 2.6. Whistleblowing channels, internal investigations and whistleblower protection in environmental matters
  • 2.7. Documentation, record control and operating procedures of the compliance system
  • 2.8. ISO 14001 and its integration
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Identification, assessment and management of environmental risks

  • 3.1. Methods for identifying operational, legal and reputational environmental risks (ISO 31000)
  • 3.2. Assessing the impact of environmental aspects: emissions, effluents, waste, noise, soil and biodiversity
  • 3.3. Determining environmental risk levels: heat maps and probability-impact matrices
  • 3.4. Mitigation plans, preventive controls and response protocols for environmental contingencies
  • 3.5. Environmental due diligence in mergers, acquisitions and investment projects
  • 3.6. Supply chain compliance: supplier approval and audit
  • 3.7. Continuous monitoring, key risk indicators (KRIs) and periodic reporting to the audit committee or board
  • 3.8. The environmental risk matrix
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Sector regulation I: emissions, climate change and the energy transition

  • 4.1. Air quality regulation and emission limit values for stationary and mobile sources
  • 4.2. Greenhouse gas regulation: quantifying, reporting and verifying the carbon footprint (ISO 14064)
  • 4.3. Carbon markets: emissions trading systems (ETS), carbon credits and offsetting mechanisms
  • 4.4. Rules on energy efficiency, self-consumption and renewable energy in industrial facilities
  • 4.5. Compliance in handling ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
  • 4.6. Regulation of noise, light pollution and odors in industrial and urban settings
  • 4.7. Corporate net-zero strategies and their regulatory alignment
  • 4.8. Emissions allowance trading
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Sector regulation II: integrated management of water, soil and waste

  • 5.1. The legal regime for water: use concessions, discharge permits and wastewater reuse
  • 5.2. Environmental quality standards for water and control of industrial and domestic effluents
  • 5.3. Preventing and controlling soil contamination: characterization, standards and remediation plans
  • 5.4. Regulatory framework for non-hazardous and special waste and the circular economy
  • 5.5. Extended producer responsibility laws and the management of packaging and WEEE
  • 5.6. Handling, transport, storage and final disposal of hazardous waste and chemicals
  • 5.7. Rules protecting biodiversity, protected natural areas and threatened species
  • 5.8. Integrated environmental permits
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Environmental audit, monitoring and regulatory supervision

  • 6.1. Planning and conducting environmental compliance audits under ISO 19011
  • 6.2. Sampling techniques, field inspection, documentary evidence and audit findings
  • 6.3. Preparing for and handling inspections and unannounced visits by environmental authorities
  • 6.4. Drawing up corrective action plans and following up detected non-conformities
  • 6.5. Environmental expert evidence, economic valuation of environmental damage and proof in sanction proceedings
  • 6.6. Environmental performance indicators (KPIs) and measuring the effectiveness of the compliance program
  • 6.7. Voluntary disclosure mechanisms and environmental adjustment and management programs
  • 6.8. Environmental performance indicators
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Sustainability reporting, transparency and greenwashing prevention

  • 7.1. International sustainability reporting frameworks: GRI, ISSB and TCFD/TNFD
  • 7.2. Rules on the disclosure of non-financial and environmental information for listed and large companies
  • 7.3. Greenwashing risk: concept, legal implications, penalties and consumer protection
  • 7.4. Independent assurance of sustainability reports and environmental compliance reports
  • 7.5. Ecolabels and environmental certifications (EU Ecolabel, FSC, ISO 14020) and their legal validity
  • 7.6. Strategic communication in environmental crises, relations with local communities and stakeholder management
  • 7.7. Integrating the green taxonomy and ESG criteria into annual corporate reports
  • 7.8. The CSRD and reporting
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Final project and environmental compliance plan

  • 8.1. Method for designing a complete corporate environmental compliance program
  • 8.2. Situational diagnosis and gap analysis against applicable regulations
  • 8.3. Drawing up the risk matrix, environmental code of conduct and procedures manual of the compliance system
  • 8.4. Simulating an internal investigation after a serious environmental incident (spill or unauthorised emission)
  • 8.5. Structuring the environmental training and awareness plan for staff
  • 8.6. Strategic defense in an environmental administrative sanction procedure
  • 8.7. Presentation of the compliance plan
  • 8.8. Final project: formulation, development and presentation of an environmental compliance plan for a real company, industry or project
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Environmental Compliance and Regulation

It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Environmental Compliance and Regulation

01Interpret complex national and international environmental regulations, anticipate their impact and develop proactive compliance strategies that adapt to regulatory change and involve the authorities where needed.
02Integrate sustainability into business strategy, designing circular models that reduce environmental impact and create long-term value for all stakeholders.
03Lead environmental and regulatory risk management, implementing and maintaining a certifiable environmental management system that supports continuous improvement and legal compliance.
04Design environmental management systems that identify, assess and control the organization's significant environmental aspects in line with current legislation.
05Master audit and reporting techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental management systems and present clear findings and recommendations to senior management.
06Assess and strengthen the organization's compliance culture through periodic internal audits, gap identification and corrective actions followed up by management.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Environmental Compliance and Regulation

01Environmental compliance specialistimplementing and monitoring environmental management systems such as ISO 14001 and EMAS.
02Environmental compliance consultant or auditoradvising organizations on regulatory compliance and carrying out environmental audits.
03Environmental managermanaging waste, emissions, discharges and other environmental aspects in a company, port or terminal.
04Public administration environmental officersupervising and enforcing compliance with environmental regulations.
05Sustainability managerdeveloping and implementing sustainability and ESG strategies in companies and organizations.
06Corporate social responsibility consultantintegrating environmental aspects into the organization's CSR strategy.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Environmental Compliance and Regulation

Environmental law seen from the compliance perspective: the obligations it imposes on organizations, the civil, administrative and criminal liability that follows from breaches and the management systems used to prevent them.

Yes. The program is built around how a company, port operator or other organization identifies its environmental obligations, controls its risks, audits itself and reports on its performance.

ISO 37301 and ISO 19600 for compliance management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 31000 for risk, ISO 19011 for audits, ISO 14064 for greenhouse gases and ISO 14020 for environmental labels, along with GRI, ISSB and CSRD reporting.

Yes. One module covers the legal risks of misleading environmental claims, independent assurance of sustainability reports, ecolabels and how to communicate environmental performance honestly.

Yes. The legal framework, risk methods and sector rules on emissions, water, waste and chemicals apply directly to shipping companies, ports, terminals and marinas, as well as to industry in general.

No. Lawyers, engineers, environmental scientists and managers all take part; basic familiarity with environmental legislation or management systems helps but is not essential.

Through practical cases in each module, such as obligation maps, risk matrices and audit exercises, and through the final project, in which you build a complete environmental compliance plan.

A Navalis Institute professional diploma and a complete environmental compliance plan from your final project that you can use as a model in your organization.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at lawyers, auditors and consultants, sustainability and environmental managers, executives who need to understand the impact of environmental law on their operations, environmental department staff and recent graduates in related fields; a degree in law, environmental sciences, engineering, business administration or a related discipline, or proven experience in compliance or environmental management, is recommended, and basic knowledge of environmental law and ISO 14001 is an advantage.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with camera and microphone and a stable internet connection to access the virtual campus and multimedia content.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
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  2. 02
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  3. 03
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