Understanding ESG: Environmental, Social & Governance

Understanding ESG: Environmental, Social & Governance free download

Learn ESG principles and how businesses drive sustainability, social impact, and ethical governance for a better future.

Understanding ESG: A Comprehensive Approach

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a complex and multifaceted subject. When you first delve into it, you may encounter a series of definitions and explanations that leave you more confused than informed. The source of ESG requirements often feels unclear—do they come from regulators, banks, consumers, or other stakeholders? Furthermore, understanding who is required to communicate ESG data and what that communication should contain can be daunting.

Course Overview

This course is designed to break down the concept of ESG and provide a thorough understanding of its key components. We will begin by defining ESG, explaining its core principles, and highlighting why it has become so important in today's business world. Additionally, we will identify the key stakeholders involved in ESG, including regulators, investors, and companies themselves.

ESG Frameworks: A Deep Dive

The next section of the course will focus on ESG frameworks. These frameworks are essential for companies to adopt when reporting ESG data and aligning their practices with international standards. We will examine 18 distinct ESG frameworks, which we have categorized into four groups:

1. Voluntary Frameworks

2. Guidance Frameworks

3. Regulatory Frameworks

4. Rating Agencies Frameworks

Each of these frameworks will be covered in-depth through dedicated lessons, allowing you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the tools available for ESG reporting and measurement.

Key ESG Frameworks Covered

Some of the major frameworks explored in this course include:

• The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP): Focuses primarily on environmental factors, providing guidance on how companies should disclose their climate-related impacts.

• The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): Sets internationally recognized standards for ESG reporting, including sector-specific guidelines, allowing companies to demonstrate sustainability efforts in a transparent and comparable manner.

• The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD): Provides guidance to help companies assess and disclose climate-related financial risks and opportunities, enabling investors to make better-informed decisions.

• The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): A European Union regulation that sets mandatory reporting standards for sustainability, which will be pivotal for companies operating within the EU.

Course Format and Materials

The course is structured with a mix of video lessons and PDF documents, making it easy to follow along at your own pace. Additionally, the course will be regularly updated with new articles and materials on ESG, ensuring that you remain up to date with the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field.

What’s Next?

This is the first of two courses on ESG. The follow-up course, titled Mastering ESG, is currently in development and will focus on the approaches and methodologies used by major international rating agencies and banks to assess and measure ESG ratings.

Don’t Miss Out

If you're looking to gain a deep understanding of ESG and stay ahead in this crucial area of business, this course is the perfect starting point. Don’t miss the opportunity to build your expertise in this vital field. Enroll today and start your journey towards mastering ESG!