AP-218 · ● Active · Professional · Salesforce
Advanced credential for sustainability professionals implementing net-zero and ESG reporting solutions on Salesforce Net Zero Cloud. Validates the ability to design, configure, and deploy carbon accounting, emissions tracking, and sustainability dashboards for enterprise environmental compliance and climate action.
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | $150 USD |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Questions | 60 scored + 5 unscored (65 total) |
| Passing | 65% (39 of 60 scored questions) |
| Format | Multiple choice / Multiple response |
| Delivery | Salesforce Webassessor (online proctored or Pearson VUE onsite) |
| Languages | English; other languages via regional availability |
| Valid | 2 years from pass date |
| Renewal | Re-certification required; must recertify via exam re-take |
| Prerequisites | None formally required; Salesforce Administrator recommended |
| Released | 2023 (AP credentials launched; Net Zero Cloud AP current as of 2026) |
| Retiring | N/A (active; monitor Salesforce roadmap) |
Vendor source — Salesforce Credentials | Accredited Professional Overview ↗
Exam details — Net Zero Cloud Accredited Professional (AP-218) ↗
Learning resources — Net Zero Cloud Basics on Trailhead ↗
About
The Salesforce Net Zero Cloud Accredited Professional (AP-218) credential recognizes practitioners with expertise in translating sustainability and ESG requirements into Salesforce solutions. Launched in 2023 as part of Salesforce's Accredited Professional tier, this exam validates skills in carbon accounting, emissions data modeling, GHG Protocol compliance, sustainability reporting (CDP/SBTi alignment), and implementation of Net Zero Cloud for enterprise environmental management. Intended for functional and technical consultants, business analysts, solution architects, and sustainability technology specialists. No formal prerequisites, though Salesforce Administrator certification is strongly recommended. Valid for 2 years; recertification via exam re-take required.
Domain context — Sustainability/ESG Technology
Salesforce-based carbon accounting and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data management platform. Enables enterprises to collect, calculate, analyze, and report Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions; track sustainability initiatives; and align with international reporting standards (GHG Protocol, CDP, Science Based Targets initiative / SBTi). Growing specialization as net-zero commitments and regulatory pressure (SEC, EU Taxonomy, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) drive investment in emissions tracking infrastructure.
Read full deep dive — Salesforce Ecosystem →
Topics covered
Official exam blueprint weighted domains (Salesforce Partner Learning Camp):
- Discovery & Requirements (30%) — Sustainability use case identification, business requirements gathering, Net Zero Cloud capability mapping, emissions calculation needs assessment, stakeholder alignment.
- Net Zero Cloud Data Model (25%) — Emissions object structure, Supplier and Emissions records, data hierarchy, carbon footprint calculation methodology, custom field design, relationship mapping, Scope 1/2/3 data separation.
- Configuration & Implementation (25%) — Standard platform features setup, data pipeline configuration, external data source integration (e.g., CDP, suppliers, utility providers), user permission sets (Manager, Admin, Auditor), action plans and reduction tracking.
- Analytics & Reporting (15%) — Tableau CRM dashboard design for sustainability metrics, Einstein Discovery for emissions pattern analysis, compliance reporting (GHG Protocol certification format, CDP alignment, SBTi tracking), export formats for audit and regulatory submission.
- Integration & Compliance (5%) — Third-party data connectors (ESG data aggregators), audit trail and data governance, security and access control, GDPR/data residency compliance for sustainability data.
Source: Salesforce Partner Learning Camp (AP-218 blueprint)
Common skills at Sustainability/ESG · Professional
Shared professional-level sustainability technology skills — not specific to Salesforce.
- Carbon accounting and Scope 1/2/3 emissions classification
- GHG Protocol and CDP Standard interpretation
- Science Based Targets (SBTi) alignment and reporting frameworks
- Supplier emissions data collection and management
- Renewable energy tracking and carbon offset accounting
- ESG data governance and validation workflows
- Sustainability dashboard design and KPI selection
- Third-party data aggregation and integration
- Regulatory compliance (SEC climate disclosure, EU Taxonomy, CSRD)
Recommended courses at Sustainability/ESG · Professional
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce (official) | Net Zero Cloud Basics (Trailhead) | Free | ↗ |
| Salesforce (official) | Net Zero Cloud Analytics Setup (Trailhead) | Free | ↗ |
| Salesforce (official) | Configure a Net Zero Cloud Org (Trailhead Project) | Free | ↗ |
| Udemy (Dinesh Yadav) | Salesforce Net Zero Cloud AP Exam Prep | $15–$50 | ↗ |
| Udemy (certification prep) | Net Zero Cloud Accredited Professional Exam Practice | $15–$50 | ↗ |
| Trailhead Academy | Net Zero Cloud AP (AP-218) Official Exam Prep | Varies | ↗ |
Course-selection rule: Salesforce Trailhead modules (free) are the official primary resource. Net Zero Cloud configuration projects provide hands-on lab experience. Udemy supplementary courses offer exam-focused study guides and practice questions. Trailhead Academy is the official exam booking and resource portal.
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trailhead Academy (official) | Net Zero Cloud AP Practice Exam (AP-218) | Free–$99 | ↗ |
| Whizlabs | Salesforce Net Zero Cloud AP Practice Tests | $20–$30 | ↗ |
| Pass4Future | Free Net Zero Cloud AP Sample Questions | Free | ↗ |
| CertShero | Net Zero Cloud AP Practice Exam (AP-218) | $25–$50 | ↗ |
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No region-specific dedicated study guide published (as of May 2026) | — | — | — | — | Use Salesforce Trailhead + official exam blueprint instead |
Book rule: As of 2026, no official O'Reilly, Packt, or Sybex study guide exists for AP-218. Net Zero Cloud is a newer specialty within Salesforce; primary learning resources are Trailhead modules and partner guides. Supplement with Salesforce Platform documentation and GHG Protocol reference materials (external standards).
Typical job titles at Sustainability/ESG · Professional
Sustainability/ESG Technology Consultant · Salesforce Net Zero Cloud Specialist · Sustainability Solution Architect · ESG Data Manager · Carbon Accounting Specialist · Corporate Sustainability Officer (CSO) · Sustainability Tech Specialist · Environmental Compliance Analyst
(Job titles drawn from LinkedIn, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and Salesforce job boards listing Net Zero Cloud expertise or AP-218 as preferred.)
Salary
| Region | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $75,000 – $155,000 | ZipRecruiter ↗ · Indeed ↗ · Glassdoor ↗ |
| ZAR | R550,000 – R900,000 (estimated from USD; regional variance expected) | Pnet ↗ · CareerJunction ↗ |
| GBP | £60,000 – £95,000 (estimated from USD; UK tech premium applied) | IT Jobs Watch ↗ · Hays Technology ↗ |
| EUR | €70,000 – €110,000 (DE/FR/NL; estimated from USD) | Glassdoor Europe ↗ |
| AUD | A$120,000 – A$180,000 (estimated from USD) | Seek Australia ↗ |
Salary rule: Net Zero Cloud is a specialized, emerging credential (2023–present). Salary data is sparse for AP-218 specifically. Ranges reflect comparable Salesforce Specialist + ESG consultant roles. Senior roles (Lead Solution Engineer, Architecture) reach $121k–$192k USD base. Regional data sourced from job boards; ZAR, GBP, EUR, AUD ranges are conservative estimates pending regional market maturation.
Skills validated
What the AP-218 exam specifically tests.
- Net Zero Cloud data model — Emissions object, Supplier records, carbon footprint calculations, Scope classification (1/2/3), custom field mapping, relationship design.
- GHG Protocol compliance — Scope 1/2/3 emissions definition, calculation methodologies, boundary setting, materiality assessment, organizational vs. product level accounting.
- CDP and SBTi alignment — CDP questionnaire mapping, Science Based Targets framework, net-zero pathway design, emissions reduction roadmap.
- Energy and emissions data collection — Utility bill integration, supplier data aggregation, primary vs. secondary data handling, data quality validation.
- Sustainability dashboards — Tableau CRM setup for ESG KPIs, Einstein Discovery for emissions trend analysis, custom report design, stakeholder communication visuals.
- Action plan management — Emissions reduction initiative tracking, accountability assignment, progress monitoring, carbon offset and renewable energy credit integration.
- User and security management — Net Zero Cloud permission sets (Manager, Admin, Auditor), role-based access, audit trail, compliance feature enablement.
- Third-party integrations — ESG data vendor connections, ERP/HR system linking, SFTP and API-based data pipelines, external reporting tool exports.
- Regulatory and standards knowledge — SEC climate disclosure requirements, EU Taxonomy alignment, CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), audit-ready data organization.
Related certifications
- Stacks with: Salesforce Certified Administrator ↗ (foundational), Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator ↗ (deeper admin skills), Salesforce Tableau CRM Architect ↗ (analytics depth)
- Prerequisite for: No higher-tier certification directly follows; complements architecture and data roles.
- Replaces: N/A (AP-218 is current as of 2026; new credential, no predecessor)
- Equivalents at this level: No direct equivalents; emerging niche. Adjacent: Microsoft Sustainability Manager (dynamics.microsoft.com) — non-existent as of 2026. SAP Sustainability/ESG specialist certs emerging but not yet widely adopted.
- Vendor overview: Salesforce Overview ↗
Sources
- Salesforce Credentials — Accredited Professional: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/credentials/accreditedprofessionaloverview
- Salesforce Net Zero Cloud Accredited Professional (AP-218) — Trailhead Academy: https://trailheadacademy.salesforce.com/certificate/exam-net-zero-cloud-ap---AP-218
- Salesforce Partner Community — Net Zero Cloud AP Program: https://1.salesforce-partners.com/net-zero-cloud-ap
- Trailhead — Net Zero Cloud Basics: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/net-zero-cloud-basics
- Trailhead — Net Zero Cloud Analytics Setup: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/net-zero-cloud-analytics-setup
- Trailhead — Configure a Net Zero Cloud Org: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/projects/configure-a-net-zero-cloud-org
- Salesforce Net Zero Cloud Overview: https://www.salesforce.com/net-zero/cloud/
- Salesforce Help — Configure Net Zero Cloud: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.netzero_admin.htm&type=5
- ZipRecruiter — Salesforce Sustainability Cloud Jobs: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Salesforce-Sustainability-Cloud
- Indeed — Salesforce Net Zero Jobs: https://www.indeed.com/q-salesforce-net-zero-jobs.html
- DYDC — How to Pass Salesforce Net Zero Cloud AP Exam: https://dineshyadav.com/salesforce-net-zero-cloud-accredited-professional/
- Udemy — Net Zero Cloud Exam Prep Courses: https://www.udemy.com/course/net-zero-cloud-accredited-professional-exam-preperation/
- Whizlabs — Salesforce Net Zero Cloud Practice Tests: https://www.whizlabs.com/salesforce-net-zero-cloud/
- Glassdoor — Salary Data: https://www.glassdoor.com/
- Pnet (South Africa): https://www.pnet.co.za/
- CareerJunction (South Africa): https://www.careerjunction.co.za/
- IT Jobs Watch (UK): https://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/
- Hays Technology Salary Guide: https://www.hays.co.uk/salary-guide
- Seek Australia: https://www.seek.com.au/
Last verified: 2026-05-01
Parent ecosystem: Salesforce Ecosystem
Parent domain: Sustainability/ESG Technology
Vendor overview: Salesforce