Carbon Project Development Manager: Job Description
A Carbon Project Manager is a professional responsible for designing, managing, and evaluating greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction projects (reducing carbon footprint) within an organization, territory, or climate project portfolio. Their central role involves transforming climate objectives (carbon neutrality, net zero, SBTi trajectories) into measurable, funded actions that comply with international standards.
Their responsibilities encompass emissions analysis (scopes 1, 2, and 3), identifying reduction levers, managing low-carbon projects (energy efficiency, renewable energy, circular economy, mobility, sequestration), monitoring carbon indicators, and coordinating internal and external stakeholders. They also ensure methodological compliance (GHG Protocol, ISO 14064, carbon labels) and the credibility of results.
The Carbon Project Manager operates at the intersection of climate strategy, project engineering, and reporting to guarantee the real and lasting impact of emission reduction projects.
What is carbon management?
Carbon management is the strategic process of measuring, reducing, and compensating greenhouse gas emissions across an organization, product, or value chain. It starts with carbon measurement, using standardized methodologies to quantify emissions accurately. Based on this data, organizations implement science-backed solutions to drive emissions reduction, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and low-carbon technologies. When emissions cannot be fully eliminated, carbon credits may be used to offset remaining emissions by supporting verified climate projects. Carbon management can also include carbon removal approaches, which physically remove CO₂ from the atmosphere through nature-based or technological solutions. Together, these actions help organizations meet climate targets, comply with regulations, and contribute to long-term decarbonization and net-zero goals.
What is the difference between a Carbon Manager and a Carbon Project Manager?
A Carbon Manager focuses on an organization's internal carbon strategy, including emissions inventory, emission reduction plans, net zero trajectory, and non-financial reporting. They sit at the center of compliance and overall governance issues, primarily working on internal actions.
The Carbon Project Manager, on the other hand, focuses on specific carbon projects, often field-based and designed to generate certified carbon credits. Their scope is more operational and technical, with core responsibilities including planning, project management, implementation, MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification), as well as connections with certification standards and credit buyers.
What are the main responsibilities of a Carbon Project Manager?
A Carbon Project Manager's responsibilities cover the entire project lifecycle:
- Project identification: Analyzing carbon potential in agriculture, energy, or urban projects.
- Technical design: Selecting methodology, calculating CO₂ rates, and drafting project documentation.
- Project planning and management: Defining timeline, budget, resources, and key milestones.
- Monitoring and MRV: Establishing data collection systems, consolidation, and reporting.
- Multi-stakeholder coordination: Working with local partners, NGOs, local governments, farmers, funders, and auditors.
- Verification and certification: Preparing audits, responding to comments, and updating documentation.
They must also communicate with diverse stakeholders and resolve any technical, social, or regulatory issues threatening project viability.
Carbon project lifecycle and examples
The lifecycle of a carbon project includes five main stages: development (identifying opportunities and feasibility studies), design (defining baseline, scenario, and monitoring strategy), validation (review by an independent body), monitoring and verification (collecting and auditing data on avoided or sequestered emissions), and certification and sales (issuing and marketing carbon credits). These projects can be nature-based (reforestation, regenerative agriculture), industrial (biogas, energy efficiency), or urban (sustainable mobility, low-carbon buildings).
What are the types of carbon projects?
Carbon projects fall into several major categories:
Project Type | Examples | Impact Indicators |
| Nature/Forestry | Reforestation, REDD+, conservation | tCO₂e avoided/sequestered |
| Regenerative Agriculture | Agroforestry, soil management | tCO₂e sequestered in soils |
| Renewable Energy | Solar, wind, biogas | tCO₂e avoided per MWh |
| Energy Efficiency | Building renovation, industry | tCO₂e avoided vs baseline |
| Low-carbon urban projects | Buildings, mobility, public lighting | tCO₂e avoided, co-benefits |
How to manage a carbon project?
Managing a carbon project involves structured oversight of measuring, reducing, and offsetting an organization's greenhouse gas emissions. The process begins with conducting a carbon footprint assessment to identify main emission sources (scopes 1, 2, and 3). Based on this, quantified objectives aligned with climate trajectories are defined. The carbon project then involves implementing an action plan (sobriety, energy efficiency, responsible purchasing, sustainable mobility), tracking key indicators, and engaging stakeholders. Finally, residual emissions can be offset through certified projects, and results are documented to ensure transparency, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
What skills are required for this position?
Several essential skills are required for this role, both technical and in project management and communication.
Technical skills
- Mastery of carbon footprinting and emissions measurement (GHG Protocol, emission reduction scenario calculations)
- Knowledge of ISO 14064 standards and certification standards (Verra, Gold Standard, Plan Vivo)
- Ability to assess additionality, permanence, and risks (leakage, non-permanence)
- Proficiency in monitoring, verification, and reporting tools for carbon projects
Essential soft skills
- Strong project management: structuring, prioritization, multi-site and multi-stakeholder management
- Excellent communication, including in international and cross-cultural contexts
- Analytical mindset and ability to solve complex problems in a changing regulatory environment
- Leadership, teaching ability, and aptitude for rallying local partners around sustainable development goals
What tools and methods does a Carbon Project Manager use?
The Carbon Project Manager employment combines technical tools and recognized methodologies to ensure project rigor and transparency.
Tool or Platform | Type of Use | Project Application Example |
| GHG Protocol | Carbon accounting methodological framework | Quantifying direct and indirect emissions reduction |
| ISO 14064 | International carbon verification standard | Certifying emission reductions |
| LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) | Environmental life cycle analysis | Total assessment of a product or project |
| Evercity | MRV platform and portfolio management | Digitalization of carbon credit tracking |
| Sylvera | Audit and performance evaluation tool | Verifying carbon project quality |
| Gold Standard Registry | Official certified credits registry | Tracking credit issuance and sales |
What education and career path to become a Carbon Project Manager?
To become a Carbon Project Manager, a master's degree is often required in environmental science, engineering, economics, or climate science. The most common paths combine technical science with understanding of climate policies:
- Master's degrees in environmental engineering, energy engineering, forest engineering, climate science
- Master's degrees in environmental economics, climate public policy, or energy transition management
- Specialized training in carbon finance, carbon markets, and climate project management
An example of a suitable program is the MSc in Management of Energy Transitions, offered by emlyon business school, which provides a solid foundation in energy transition, low-carbon technology, and project management.
MSc in Management of Energy Transitions brochure
What experience adds value to this profile?
Recruiters favor profiles who have had concrete immersion in implementing environmental or climate projects, whether in carbon data management, impact assessment, or field monitoring. These experiences demonstrate practical understanding of sector-specific issues and methods.
Examples of formative experiences: Internships with NGOs, consulting firms, climate advisory firms, or international institutions (UNDP, AFD, GIZ), etc.
What is the salary of a Carbon Project Manager in France?
The salary of a Carbon Project Manager in France depends primarily on experience, level of responsibility, company size, and region. In 2025, this highly specialized environmental role shows average compensation comparable to that of a specialized project manager, with a premium linked to carbon technical expertise and profile scarcity.
Average salary in France: approximately €50,370 gross per year for an intermediate profile (3 to 5 years of experience).
Carbon Project Manager salary by experience
- Junior (0–2 years): €35,000 to €42,000 gross/year
- Intermediate (3–5 years): €42,000 to €55,000 gross/year
- Senior (6–10 years): €55,000 to €70,000 gross/year
- Carbon Program Manager: over €70,000 gross/year
What factors influence compensation level?
A Carbon Project Manager's salary depends primarily on education level, international experience, and mastery of carbon standards. Additionally, the size and complexity of the managed project portfolio also influence compensation.
Where to find job offers for Carbon Project Manager?
Job recommendations are concentrated on:
- Major generalist platforms
- Specialized climate actions and sustainable development sites
- Career pages of major energy companies, climate consulting firms, environmental NGOs, and international institutions
Related positions (carbon manager, climate officer, low-carbon project manager) also provide interesting entry points into the career.
What are the best companies and institutions for this position?
Organization | Type of Actor | Areas of Intervention |
| UNDP, UN agencies | Multilateral institution | Climate programs, adaptation, development |
| AFD, GIZ | Development agencies | Low-carbon projects, energy transition |
| Major companies (ENGIE, TotalEnergies, etc.) | Energy companies | Renewable energy, energy efficiency |
| Carbon consultancies (South Pole, etc.) | Specialized consulting | Carbon markets, project portfolios |
| International environmental NGOs | NGO | Forestry, agriculture, nature-based solutions |
How to evaluate the impact of a carbon project?
Evaluating a carbon project relies on the MRV framework (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification):
- Monitoring: Continuous measurement of activities (restored surfaces, energy produced, fuels avoided, agricultural practices).
- Reporting: Formal documentation of results and assumptions in reports compliant with standard norms.
- Verification: Independent audit confirming the actual level of carbon reduction or sequestration, conditioning credit issuance.
It also relies on impact indicators including tCO₂e avoided or sequestered, social co-benefits, and environmental co-benefits.
What are the most commonly used certification standards?
Standard | Dominant Project Types | Specificities |
| Verra (VCS) | Forestry, agriculture, energy, industry | Largest credit volume in the market |
| Gold Standard | Renewable energy, energy efficiency, community projects | Strong focus on SDGs and social co-benefits |
| Plan Vivo | Smallholder projects, forestry, agriculture | Community and long-term approach |
| ISO 14064 | Methodological reference for GHG projects | International standard, often combined with other labels |
What career prospects in the low-carbon sector?
Career prospects in the low-carbon sector are particularly dynamic, with possible progression from junior positions to climate director or corporate carbon project manager jobs :
- Junior climate/carbon project officer, then confirmed Carbon Project Manager, before becoming senior project manager/programme manager
- Specialization in carbon finance, portfolio structuring, or normative expertise functions (MRV, carbon integrity)
- Access to leadership positions such as Head of Climate Projects, Sustainability Director, or Chief Sustainability Officer in public or private organizations
Key takeaways about the Carbon Project Manager
The Carbon Project Development Manager is a key player in the low-carbon transition, ensuring the quality and integrity of carbon projects and the credits they generate. This role requires technical skills in climate and MRV, strong project management, and excellent communication and abilities with diverse stakeholders.
In conclusion, with an average annual salary around €50,370 in France in 2025 and increasing job offers, becoming a Carbon Project Manager offers a high-impact careers in a market driven by emission reduction, carbon reduction, and sustainable development goals.