CERTIFIED SUSTAINABILITY
PROFESSIONAL (CSP) QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Sustainability is best defined as
A. Maximizing short-term economic growth
B. Preserving resources only for future generations
C. Balancing environmental, social, and economic needs
D. Eliminating all environmental impacts
Answer: C
Rationale: Sustainability integrates environmental protection, social equity, and
economic viability, often referred to as the triple bottom line.
2. The “triple bottom line” concept refers to
A. Profit, productivity, and performance
B. People, planet, and profit
C. Energy, water, and waste
D. Policy, planning, and compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: The triple bottom line expands organizational success beyond profit
to include social and environmental performance.
, 3. Which United Nations framework outlines global sustainability goals to be
achieved by 2030?
A. Paris Agreement
B. Agenda 21
C. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
D. Kyoto Protocol
Answer: C
Rationale: The SDGs consist of 17 global goals addressing poverty, environment,
equity, and economic development.
4. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates
A. Only product disposal impacts
B. Environmental impacts across a product’s entire life
C. Financial cost over time
D. Employee productivity
Answer: B
Rationale: LCA assesses impacts from raw material extraction through
production, use, and end-of-life.
5. Carbon footprint measures
A. Total waste produced
B. Total energy consumption
C. Total greenhouse gas emissions
D. Total water usage
Answer: C
Rationale: A carbon footprint quantifies greenhouse gas emissions, usually
expressed as CO₂ equivalents.
, 6. Scope 1 emissions are
A. Indirect emissions from purchased electricity
B. Emissions from employee commuting
C. Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources
D. Emissions from suppliers
Answer: C
Rationale: Scope 1 emissions originate directly from sources an organization
owns or controls.
7. Which is an example of Scope 2 emissions?
A. Fuel burned in company vehicles
B. Purchased electricity emissions
C. Waste disposal emissions
D. Business travel emissions
Answer: B
Rationale: Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased energy such as
electricity or steam.
8. Renewable energy sources include
A. Coal and oil
B. Natural gas
C. Wind and solar
D. Nuclear fuel
Answer: C
Rationale: Renewable energy sources are naturally replenished, such as wind,
solar, and hydropower.
9. Energy efficiency focuses on
A. Increasing energy consumption
, B. Using less energy for the same output
C. Switching only to renewables
D. Eliminating energy use entirely
Answer: B
Rationale: Energy efficiency reduces energy input while maintaining the same
level of service or output.
10.Circular economy principles emphasize
A. Linear production and disposal
B. Waste minimization and resource reuse
C. Increased extraction of raw materials
D. Short product lifespans
Answer: B
Rationale: A circular economy aims to keep resources in use longer through
reuse, repair, and recycling.
11.Sustainable procurement prioritizes
A. Lowest purchase price
B. Supplier convenience
C. Environmental and social responsibility
D. Local suppliers only
Answer: C
Rationale: Sustainable procurement considers lifecycle impacts, ethics, and
environmental responsibility.
12.Water stewardship involves
A. Maximizing water withdrawal
B. Ignoring watershed impacts
PROFESSIONAL (CSP) QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Sustainability is best defined as
A. Maximizing short-term economic growth
B. Preserving resources only for future generations
C. Balancing environmental, social, and economic needs
D. Eliminating all environmental impacts
Answer: C
Rationale: Sustainability integrates environmental protection, social equity, and
economic viability, often referred to as the triple bottom line.
2. The “triple bottom line” concept refers to
A. Profit, productivity, and performance
B. People, planet, and profit
C. Energy, water, and waste
D. Policy, planning, and compliance
Answer: B
Rationale: The triple bottom line expands organizational success beyond profit
to include social and environmental performance.
, 3. Which United Nations framework outlines global sustainability goals to be
achieved by 2030?
A. Paris Agreement
B. Agenda 21
C. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
D. Kyoto Protocol
Answer: C
Rationale: The SDGs consist of 17 global goals addressing poverty, environment,
equity, and economic development.
4. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates
A. Only product disposal impacts
B. Environmental impacts across a product’s entire life
C. Financial cost over time
D. Employee productivity
Answer: B
Rationale: LCA assesses impacts from raw material extraction through
production, use, and end-of-life.
5. Carbon footprint measures
A. Total waste produced
B. Total energy consumption
C. Total greenhouse gas emissions
D. Total water usage
Answer: C
Rationale: A carbon footprint quantifies greenhouse gas emissions, usually
expressed as CO₂ equivalents.
, 6. Scope 1 emissions are
A. Indirect emissions from purchased electricity
B. Emissions from employee commuting
C. Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources
D. Emissions from suppliers
Answer: C
Rationale: Scope 1 emissions originate directly from sources an organization
owns or controls.
7. Which is an example of Scope 2 emissions?
A. Fuel burned in company vehicles
B. Purchased electricity emissions
C. Waste disposal emissions
D. Business travel emissions
Answer: B
Rationale: Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased energy such as
electricity or steam.
8. Renewable energy sources include
A. Coal and oil
B. Natural gas
C. Wind and solar
D. Nuclear fuel
Answer: C
Rationale: Renewable energy sources are naturally replenished, such as wind,
solar, and hydropower.
9. Energy efficiency focuses on
A. Increasing energy consumption
, B. Using less energy for the same output
C. Switching only to renewables
D. Eliminating energy use entirely
Answer: B
Rationale: Energy efficiency reduces energy input while maintaining the same
level of service or output.
10.Circular economy principles emphasize
A. Linear production and disposal
B. Waste minimization and resource reuse
C. Increased extraction of raw materials
D. Short product lifespans
Answer: B
Rationale: A circular economy aims to keep resources in use longer through
reuse, repair, and recycling.
11.Sustainable procurement prioritizes
A. Lowest purchase price
B. Supplier convenience
C. Environmental and social responsibility
D. Local suppliers only
Answer: C
Rationale: Sustainable procurement considers lifecycle impacts, ethics, and
environmental responsibility.
12.Water stewardship involves
A. Maximizing water withdrawal
B. Ignoring watershed impacts
