The industrial and economic benefits of decarbonisation
The course "The Industrial and Economic Benefits of Decarbonization" is designed by the Scientific Committee of the GR.A.N.D. Academy (https://www.grandacademy.eu/copia-di-team), chaired by Professor Livio De Santoli – Member of the ARERA Board – and comprised of expert professionals with interdisciplinary expertise from the academic, institutional, business, and consulting worlds. The Committee ensures excellent training and develops a training proposal for a new efficient, low-carbon business model, in collaboration with the B.I.A.E. - Italian Bank for the Environment and Energy (https://biae.it/).
The course, organized by GR.A.N.D. Academy also relies on the participation of the Laudato si' Higher Education Center https://www.laudatosi.va/chi-siamo/, a Vatican institution established by Pope Francis in 2023 for the implementation of the Borgo Laudato si' project in the Papal Gardens of Castel Gandolfo, which was inaugurated on September 5, 2025 by Pope Leo XIV.
OBJECTIVES: The course format aims to offer companies a multidisciplinary path on the topic of ecological transition and corporate sustainability, through the appropriate skills in the rational use of resources with circular economy models, innovation and digitalization, the responsible and efficient use of water resources, and the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence for a process of energy, digital, and decarbonization transition, reducing energy costs and carbon footprints. The course also focuses on energy efficiency and retrofitting of buildings, the context of governance and risk management strategies in addressing climate risk while respecting the sustainable finance framework, and the evaluation and financing of green projects. All this allows companies to increase their competitiveness on the markets and attract new talent, increase profitability and reduce costs, improve their resilience to climate change, with undoubted positive effects on their image among customers, investors, and partners, and improve their credit rating, also considering the entry into force of the EBA (European Banking Authority) guidelines on environmental, social, and governance risks from 11 January 2026.
TARGET AUDIENCE: The course is intended for professionals, company managers, sustainability and ESG managers, and public bodies who wish to understand and apply the European Union's sustainability strategies and policies, plan ecological and digital transition processes, integrate ESG strategies into their companies, implement circular economy processes, and use artificial intelligence for energy efficiency and renewables in a context where sustainability has become a growth driver and an essential requirement for a new efficient, low-emission business model.
TEACHING METHOD: The course is held in person at Borgo Laudato Sì in Castel Gandolfo and in person, as well as via livestream, in the Banca del Fucino conference room in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, Rome.
DURATION: 10 modules for a total of 22 hours.
OUTPUTS FOR PROFESSIONALS
By the end of the course, students will have developed skills in:
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Analysis of the European and international regulatory framework for decarbonization;
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Understanding climate and industrial policies;
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Cost-benefit analysis of decarbonization;
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Assessment of the impact on competitiveness and productivity;
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Integration of ESG criteria into corporate strategy;
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Climate risk management;
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Applying technological innovation to production processes;
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Ethical and responsible approach to the use of artificial intelligence;
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Process optimization through digitalization and data;
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Designing corporate decarbonization plans;
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Access to sustainable financing
CERTIFICATE:
The GR.A.N.D. Academy, which has received the patronage of the European Commission and is ISO 9001 certified, will issue a certificate of attendance attesting to the skills acquired to those who have attended at least 80% of the course hours.
REGISTRATION FEE: €500.00 (five hundred/00).
INFORMATION: Anyone interested in participating can write to us at info@grandacademy.eu.
Course Program
Borgo Laudato Sì_April 9, 2026
9:30 am – 11:00 am: Guided tour of the Borgo;
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Cardinal Fabio Baggio – General Director of Borgo Laudato sì
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A transformative journey: discovering Borgo Laudato Sì;
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Entering the heart of the Encyclical to cultivate a new integral ecology
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch and coffee break
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Marco Sambati - Director and Administrator, GR.A.N.D. Academy
Presentation of the course "The Industrial and Economic Benefits of Decarbonization"
Module 1 - Introduction to decarbonization and the global context
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Angelo Consoli - Director of Jeremy Rifkin's European Office
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Climate change and anthropogenic causes;
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CO₂ emissions: responsible sectors, impacts, and main mitigation measures;
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International and European regulatory framework (Green Deal, FIT for 55, ETS, Clean Industrial Deal), actions planned at the EU level;
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The role of businesses in the ecological transition
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Borgo Laudato Sì - April 10, 2026
Module 2 – Strategy and Governance of Decarbonization and ESG in the Company
10:00 - 12:00
Gustavo Troisi - Vice President of ANDAF - National Councillor of Federmanager Course
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Climate risk management;
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Roadmap for climate neutrality; Integration with ESG and sustainability;
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Stakeholder engagement and communication;
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Measurement and reporting;
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Omnibus Decree and CRSD
12:30 - 14:00: Lunch and coffee break
Module 3 - The Industrial and Economic Benefits of Decarbonization
14:00 - 16:00
Livio De Santoli - Member of the ARERA Board
• Understand the key concepts of decarbonization of energy systems;
• Identify strategies, technologies, and tools to reduce emissions in different energy sectors;
• Analyze the economic and industrial benefits of the energy transition;
• Examine possible energy system development scenarios at the national, European, and global levels