Price

£300 (non-signatories)

£240 (PRI signatories)

Duration

3 hours

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Introduction

This foundational course introduces the learner to the key definitions, concepts and tools of responsible investment.

The course is suitable for all professionals, regardless of experience, job function or level of seniority and is ideal for those who wish to gain a solid grounding in ESG and responsible investment comprehension upon which they can build.

Details

Understanding ESG introduces the learner to the core foundations of materiality of ESG issues and a systematic approach to incorporating ESG factors in investment decisions and active ownership. Learners gain confidence to discuss ESG issues with clients and stakeholders.

After successful completion of the online ESG course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion and a digital badge.

Learning outcomes

  • Define responsible investment and differentiate it from other, similar and overlapping concepts
  • Use responsible investment concepts and terminology in an accurate and consistent way
  • Understand the business case for responsible investment and materiality of ESG issues
  • Communicate confidently on fundamental ESG issues with colleagues and clients
  • Identify key E, S and G issues that manifest at global, regional, industry and company levels
  • Explain the importance and basic methods of active ownership
  • Understand the essential differences between ESG incorporation across asset classes
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Course outline

  • Defining RI
  • What are ESG issues?
  • Contextualising RI
  • ESG incorporation
  • RI across asset classes
  • Why invest responsibly?
  • Defining sustainability
  • ESG megatrends and their implications
  • Components of ESG analysis
  • Regulatory trends
  • Spotlight on the EU: EU Green Deal
  • EU Taxonomy
  • Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)
  • EU MiFID II amendments (2022)
  • Key regulatory trends across the world
  • Greenwashing
  • ‘Anti-ESG’ narratives
  • What are environmental issues?
  • Ecosystems and environmental issues
  • The planetary boundaries framework
  • Why planetary boundaries matter for investors
  • Environmental externalities and impacts
  • The transgressed planetary boundaries
  • Defining sustainability
  • Analysis of environmental issues
  • What are social issues?
  • Social issues and human rights
  • UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
  • Social risks in the supply chain: 2013 Rana Plaza collapse
  • Conflict-affected and high-risk areas
  • Government relations risks
  • Analysis of social issues
  • Assessing a company’s risk exposure
  • What are governance issues?
  • Defining corporate governance
  • Corporate governance risks
  • Major corporate governance failures
  • Pillars of good corporate governance
  • Disclosure requirements
  • The role of stock exchanges
  • ESG megatrends and their implications
  • Corporate governance assessment
  • Defining stewardship
  • Stewardship tools
  • Why do investors engage?
  • Different types of engagement
  • Challenges and limitations to engagement
  • Collaborative engagement
  • Active Ownership 2.0
  • limate Action 100+
  • ESG issues in investment decision-making
  • Approaches to ESG incorporation
  • Comparing approaches to incorporation
  • What is ESG integration?
  • Material ESG factors
  • Key components of ESG integration
  • Integrated equity analysis
  • Integrated credit analysis
  • ESG information
  • Examples of ESG information
  • Integrated company analysis
  • ESG and the asset owner/investment manager relationship
  • Understanding client preferences
  • A multi-layered approach
  • Environmental case study: BP
  • Social case study: Meta
  • Governance case study: Volkswagen