Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend that you apply as soon as possible as several of our past programs have sold out and been waitlisted.

We aim to cap participation at 36 participants in each program so that the group size is optimal for networking and discussions.

The Designation programs’ final exam is a boardroom simulation where participants present to a panel of board directors on a case study provided to them in advance. The Sustainability & ESG Accelerator for Decision-Makers program doesn’t have a final exam.

You can miss up to four sessions of the Global Sustainability and ESG Designation & Certification Program, and still complete the program. You can miss up to two sessions for the Climate & Biodiversity Designation Program, and still obtain the designation and certificate once you have completed the program. 

We will always send you session recordings of any missed sessions.

Sustainability & ESG Designation & Certification program

The estimated monthly time commitment for participants is approximately 8 to 10 hours. This includes:

• Two live sessions totaling 2.5 hours.
• Study time for four modules per month, requiring about 5.5 to 7 hours.

Climate & Biodiversity Designation program

The estimated monthly time commitment for participants is approximately 6 to 7 hours: This includes:

• Two live sessions totalling 3 hours.
• Study time for two modules per month, requiring about 3 – 4 hours.

Sustainability & ESG Accelerator for Decision-Makers program

The estimated monthly commitment for participants is approximately 8 hours. This includes:

• Study time for one module per week, requiring 2 hours.

• Competent BoardsTM is the original and premier creator of world-class online environment, social, governance (ESG) and climate training programs for board directors and business leaders. We have been providing sustainability and ESG upskilling for boards and business leaders since 2018. Other programs were created much more recently.
• Several other programs are focused on sustainable business strategy, but are not designed from the lens of good corporate governance and/or designed for business leaders to provide oversight on these issues and identify risks and opportunities. Our programs are designed from, and for, the viewpoint of business leaders and board members.
• Our Program provides a strong overview of all aspects of sustainability and ESG, which is becoming increasingly important at the board table, and for senior management and stakeholders. Most programs do not cover the variety of topics we do (AI, cyber security, geopolitics, human capital, along with traditional Environment, Social, and Governance topics). Our alumni have attested to how our program has opened their mind and enhanced their perspective on all facets of sustainability and ESG. 
• Our programs cater to global participants and the content is not focused on any particular region. Many programs for board directors are focused more locally, but our programs offer a global faculty and lens that allows for you to gain a diverse range of perspectives in a global business context. 
• We have 180-plus renowned international board members, executives, and experts contributing to our materials, providing interview videos, and joining our sessions to speak directly with participants. 
• Many competitive programs are solely provided as a “self-study” program, or are in large groups/webinar format. Our Designation programs provide small group interactions, unparalleled camaraderie and an invaluable network that extends long after the program finishes. The interaction with fellow cohort members and faculty makes the program fun and highly engaging, while providing a great opportunity for networking.

Earning a Designation from Competent Boards will enable you to:

• Differentiate yourself, standing tall with the select minority of leaders who have earned a certification.
• Stay abreast of latest developments in sustainability leadership and governance, creating competitive advantage and long term value for multiple stakeholders (e.g., energy transition scenario planning).
• Support your organization in complying with mandatory disclosure requirements on board competency, such as IFRS S1 and S2.
• Engage directly with expert global faculty and peer-to-peer case based experiential learning.
• Be part of a lifelong community of active learners committed to board leadership on the front lines of corporate governance.
• Be more anticipatory, build trust and encourage integrated thinking to obtain, retain, and upgrade your board positions with greater influence and accountability.
• Make a difference – for your organization, for your investors, and for society and the world at large.

The Global Competent Boards Designation (GCB.D) or Climate Competent Boards Designation (CCB.D) are designations that you receive in addition to a certificate of completion and a digital badge. These designations recognize the knowledge and skills that you have gained through actively taking part in our online global dialogue sessions. 

Having the designation behind your name on LinkedIn and on your email signature and business cards signals your enhanced knowledge. Our alumni report that it also spurs outside interest and opens doors for new positions. If you are currently on a board, companies will typically include your designation with your board profile for shareholders to showcase your additional competencies in climate and/or ESG.

The designation is very rigorous and experiential with a capstone board simulation administered by an independent panel of global board experts.

The difference between our Designation programs and our Certificate programs is that the Designation Programs are interactive, with live Zoom sessions with your cohort and the faculty speaking for each session. The Certificate programs are self-guided, and although they have the exact same study materials, do not include live interactive sessions with faculty. Instead, the interactive component of the Certificate programs is optional, where you are welcome to join monthly Q&A sessions with Competent Boards Founder and CEO, Helle Bank Jorgensen. You earn certificates and digital badges from both programs, but only earn a designation from the interactive Designation programs.

For each session, we send out a set of preparation materials two weeks in advance. These include a strategic series of Leader Insight videos with some of our 180-plus global subject-matter experts on their views and advice, a case study and a curated list of recommended readings and tools, as well as a list of questions to help you assess where your organization stands on these issues.

• We hold our live sessions under the Chatham House Rule. That means participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed. We do not share session recordings outside the cohort members.