ESG Designation Program

Discuss how major global events, such as climate change, the war in Ukraine and ongoing pandemics, are changing stakeholders’ expectations of companies

Understand how business trends, such as the “Great Resignation”, the use of data and social justice are shaping the future of work

Look at organisational purpose and how to ensure it adds value

Study the tidal wave of guidelines, regulations and ESG reporting frameworks that are impacting the ability of businesses to operate

Examine new business models such as stakeholder capitalism, the circular economy, regenerative and net-positive businesses, and the 5th industrial revolution

Understand how asset managers, hedge funds, high-wealth individuals and proxy advisors are impacting boards of directors and board agendas

Study the fast-evolving views and understandings of fiduciary duty across regions

Explore the role of board committees in embedding ESG in business strategy

Learn how to lead and plan to ensure business continuity during major disruptions such as geopolitical upheaval, climate change, pandemics, societal changes and digital innovation

Identify how a board of directors can fulfil its critical strategic role and set the cultural tone from the top

Understand how to balance short-, medium- and long-term goals, objectives, compliance and accountability

Examine the board’s role in shareholder and stakeholder communications, including creating trust and integrity

Study how incentives can drive wanted or unwanted behaviour

Scrutinise oversight, accountability and the role of the board committees

Learn how to address shareholder expectations, letters and proposals, ratings and rankings, activist investors, and disclosure expectations

Learn about the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how regulatory trends and government incentives affect them in different parts of the world

Understand how companies and investors are embracing the SDGs and using them for innovation and investment

Explore the use of the SDGs as a common language to communicate with stakeholders

Examine how to use the SDGs framework as a strategic tool to understand your company’s biggest pain points to determine risks and new opportunities

Examine the link between the SDGs and ESG, as well as a company’s purpose and licence to operate and grow

Discover how global events and megatrends have prioritised and accelerated the implementation of SDGs by businesses and governments

Take a closer look at why and how climate change impacts the global economic and socio-economic outlook.

Learn how climate change affects businesses, supply chains, customers, employees and society

Assess short-, medium- and long-term transitional, regulatory, insurance and political risks

Discover how to seize opportunities within renewable energy, carbon markets and a just transition

Discuss the concept of net zero and using science-based goals around emissions, such as Scope 1, 2, 3 and 4 commitments, actions and reporting

Examine the growing expectations for asset managers, proxy advisors and investors around initiatives such as Climate Action 100+ and the UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Learn how companies, investors, insurance companies and regulators are responding to growing demands for climate action

Understand scenario analysis and disclosure expectations, as well as adaptation, mitigation, and transition strategies

Learn about the relevant regulatory bodies and non-regulatory bodies: SEC (US), European Union, International Sustainability Standards Board and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Learn about the growing expectations for disclosure around ESG topics and how companies are best responding to those demands.

Look at what investors are asking for and why does that matter

Get under the skin of ESG in businesses to see the difference between greenwashing and successful corporate sustainability 

Uncover how ESG disclosure issues are leading to securities class actions and civil litigation

Understand ESG ratings, rankings, indices and integration frameworks, as well as materiality risk and opportunity assessments

Discover why financial materiality assessments are integral for companies to embed ESG in strategy and board oversight

Anticipate future trends and new requirements, while learning how to integrate emerging risks into enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks

Scrutinise oversight, accountability and the role of the board committees

Learn about the impact of environmental and social disasters on supply chains, and how to identify, assess and manage important risks

Examine whether child labour, forced labour, modern slavery or other human-rights issues exist in your business supply chain

Understand the impact of your products on the natural world, such as water scarcity, air pollution and deforestation

Come to grips with compliance, looking at existing and emerging regulations as well as how to disclose support for major international norms and soft law initiatives

Understand how to create mutually beneficial long-term relationships with suppliers

Learn how to avoid supply shortages and reputational setbacks, plus align procurement with incentives

Define the expectations from investors, proxy advisors, and society to encourage diversity in the workplace

Learn how to foster a pipeline of diverse talent into and through your company and achieve diversity of thought

Understand the full spectrum and business value of diversity, as well as the regulations around it

Learn how to address employee misconduct and workplace culture issues

Identify the many forms of diversity — including culture, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender, disability, socioeconomic background and lived experiences — and the value they bring

Address the power of data, the barriers to progress and best practices for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace

Understand the importance of mental health and wellness at work

Examine the relevant laws and regulations for DEI in a business, looking at board composition and structure, oversight, accountability and the role of the board nomination committee

Learn performance evaluation methods, incentives, and accountability

Learn the changing risks and expectations associated with anti-corruption, integrity, ethical practices and transparency

Understand the steps companies can take to reduce fraud and corruption at work, including facilitation payments

Examine public and self-disclosure, including the importance of company reputation matter in decision-making

Understand how to manage and oversee investigations 

Learn how to anticipate new forms of corruption, such as cybercrime and dark money, as well as the misuse of private and public goods

See how to build public trust, relations and reputation

Navigate the political involvement of companies and businesses

Develop questions to ask management to test the robustness and effectiveness of its anti-corruption approach

Learn the business impact of the digital revolution, including the hybrid workplace, big data and AI-generated opportunities

Examine the ethical use of data, including collection, stakeholder privacy concerns and managing confidential information as part of a company’s cybersecurity strategy

Consider the balance between increased organisational and personal data protection against using data for good 

Understand how cyber risks can affect whether stakeholders view a company as acting responsibly

Learn about business continuity through disaster containment and recovery in the face of cyber-attacks

Examine antitrust laws and stakeholder expectations, including how to manage online propaganda and “fake news”

Understand how cybersecurity ties into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Learn the latest global trends in taxation, investments and pay policies that will help drive ESG best practices at your business

Uncover when tax optimization is no longer carried out in a responsible manner

Understand the cost of ownership in a volatile world, looking at the dilemmas you face when making long-term investments

Learn what information you need to make well-informed capital investment and capital expenditure (CapEx) decisions

Uncover how to incentivize leadership for ESG in the short, medium and long term

Examine the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tax, investment and pay strategies, including income inequality

Look to the future changes in global tax policies that will drive ESG investments

Learn and manage the material issues that you need to communicate to your shareholders and stakeholders.

Uncover how to deal with the rise of shareholder activism, including best practices in engagement strategies before and after the proxy season 

Examine common standards and frameworks, such as the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and Task Force for Climate-related Disclosures (TCFD)

Study regulations and requirements, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Dodd-Frank Act, human capital accounting and stock exchange requirements

Look at future trends in reporting

Learn what good governance means now, and how that will evolve in the future

Recap the previous 11 modules and see how that knowledge impacts the future of governance at your company

Get ready for the evolving role of the board, executives, shareholders and other stakeholders

Learn what it means to be a steward of the future — including having good judgement, courage and asking meaningful questions