Why this Credential?

The energy industry is navigating an era of complex transitions, from evolving stakeholder expectations and social license to operate, to increasing regulatory scrutiny, climate impacts, and geopolitical uncertainty. These developments have intensified the need for energy companies to proactively manage a range of non-technical risks, risks that are often outside traditional engineering or operational scopes but have significant implications for project success and long-term resilience.

To meet this need, UH Energy at the University of Houston offers the Managing Non-Technical Risks in Energy Program, a professional development opportunity designed to equip energy professionals with practical tools, skills, and frameworks to navigate today’s risk environment. Whether you're new to non-technical risk management or seeking to strengthen your organization’s approach, this program provides the insight and structure needed to integrate social, environmental, reputational, and stakeholder risks into enterprise-wide risk strategies.

The program is delivered through a modular badging system, which is flexible, skills-based micro-credentials designed for working professionals.

Each badge consists of:

• 2 modules
• 5 virtual learning sessions (1.5 hours each) per module
• 1 in-person group engagement session (2 hours) per module
• Interactive case studies and applied learning

Participants must complete assessments and meet performance standards to earn each badge. Badges can be taken individually or as part of a 3-badge series that forms a comprehensive development pathway in managing non-technical risks.

By the end of the program, you’ll be able to:

• Define and categorize key non-technical risks in energy operations
• Apply frameworks to assess environmental and social impacts, risks, and opportunities
• Design stakeholder engagement plans that reflect community expectations
• Identify emerging risks, such as climate and reputational risks
• Strengthen alignment with permitting, compliance, and governance requirements

Who Should Enroll?

The Managing Non-Technical Risks in Energy Program caters to two distinct groups:

• Industry Professionals: Applicants from within the energy sector, who may have roles in defining and managing Non-Technical Risks, in functions including C-Suite and Senior Management, Operations, Project Management, Supply Chain, Public and Government Affairs, Sustainability, Health Safety Environment (HSE), Communications, Investor Relations, Community Relations, and other consulting-type roles.
• Aspiring Energy Industry Professionals: Anyone who aspires to work in the energy industry or is already in working to develop and build skills and competencies in Non-Technical Risk Management.

Curriculum

This micro-credentialing program addresses multiple non-technical risks, management, impacts, and opportunities in energy industries to equip current and aspiring professionals in the energy industry to further their skills in this ever-evolving field. The program focuses on developing (or enhancing) your framework, managing of stakeholders and a variety of non-technical risks into your enterprise–wide risk management practices. Industry experts who have managed various non-technical risks over the past couple of decades will share insights, tools and expertise, while allowing for opportunities to customize concepts, models, frameworks and management systems to fit your own business needs.

Instruction for each badge consists of two modules, five virtual learning sessions (1.5 hrs each) per module, one in-person group engagement session (2 hrs) per module, and interactive case studies and applied learning experience.

Badge 1: Managing Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts

Module 1: Foundations of Environmental & Social Risk and Impact Management

• Key Priorities
  • Understand foundational principles of environmental and social risk
  • Explore how non-technical risks impact business performance, permitting, and public trust
  • Examine the role of ethics, accountability, and governance in managing risk

Module 2: Environmental Risks, Impacts, and Opportunity Paths

• Key Priorities
  • Analyze how environmental and social risks affect financial outcomes
  • Evaluate risk and impact pathways that influence investment and project decisions
  • Identify opportunities for value creation through proactive non-technical risk management

Badge 2: Frameworks, Standards, and Implementation

Module 1: Reporting Frameworks & Standards

• Key Priorities
  • Understand major global standards (e.g., GRI, TCFD, SASB, CSRD) and their relevance to energy
  • Examine how regulatory trends are shaping reporting and disclosure expectations
  • Build practical skills in aligning risk data with frameworks and communicating performance

Module 2: Operationalizing Non-Technical Risk Management

• Key Priorities
  • Apply risk frameworks to internal operations, planning, and decision-making
  • Integrate non-technical risk into enterprise risk management (ERM) systems and KPIs
  • Design stakeholder engagement strategies aligned with material risks and project phases

Badge 3: Advanced Applications

Module 1: Non-Technical Risk Management & Supply Chain Management

• Key Priorities
  • Apply non-technical risk strategies to supply chain and contractor management
  • Identify and address non-technical risks and sustainability risks across tiers of suppliers
  • Analyze real-world case studies to build supply chain resilience and traceability

Module 2: Future Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

• Key Priorities
  • Explore emerging trends such as climate risk disclosure, digital tools, and regulatory shifts
  • Assess future challenges in energy transition, reputation, and global stakeholder expectations
  • Build strategic foresight for leading non-technical risk management in evolving business contexts

Schedule

Badge 1 Module 1 will officially start on September 15, 2025. The 1st group engagement session will be in mid October. Badge 1 Module 2 will start on October 20, 2025. The 2nd group engagement session will be in mid November.

Badge 2: January - March, 2026.
Badge 3: March - May, 2026.

Instructors

Frequently Asked Questions