Course description
ESG adoption is often predicated on either the push of investors or the pull of customers. A growing number of investors, both institutional and private, and in developed and emerging markets alike, look at ESG risks as a testing ground for their portfolio companies. The ones that perform well on ESG are well-positioned for the future and have better chances of adapting their products and services to a global consumer base that is increasingly demanding environmental protection, respect for human rights and corporate transparency. The number of financial institutions that integrate ESG in their decision-making processes is on the rise globally, and it is expected to increase in a post-Covid economy as studies have shown that companies with high ESG ratings held up better than their competitors during the crisis.
In some cases, ESG reporting is being mandated. For example, the Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD) comes into effect for large public-interest companies in Europe from 1 January 2024. We can expect to see more examples of this type of legislation over the coming years.
In this course, we will begin with the baseline of ESG relevance and rising ubiquity in common investment and company discourse. We will review the rise of ESG amongst private and public sector entities and explore its relevance to various industries. We will discuss the principle of materiality and practise applying materiality assessments using several common ESG frameworks.
We will explore case studies, workshop concepts, and ensure participants walk away with practical tools and insights to use in their own ESG reporting and compliance work. We will review the ways in which ESG not only mitigates risk but adds value to an underlying asset.
Finally, we will take course participants through the process of ESG reporting to workshop stages of the process, data collection principles, narrative development, telling a holistic story, and the final stage of ESG report assurance.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
This course is aimed at senior professionals in large and small organisations who are engaging or are ready to engage with mandatory and voluntary ESG requirements.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
- Describe ESG challenges and explain how ESG reporting contributes to sustainable human development
- Explain the motivators for company adoption of ESG reporting
- Draft a compelling narrative related to a company’s ESG performance
- List and explain the types of ESG data required to address ‘E’, ‘S’, and ‘G’ disclosures
- Implement the process for identifying an organization’s impacts and determining material topics
- Determine the ESG exposure of an organization and how to position responsive ESG programs
- Explain how ESG adds value to an underlying asset
- Navigate and interpret the most common voluntary ESG reporting frameworks (e.g. ISSB, TCFD, GRI)
- Explain the mandatory ESG reporting for listed companies in Europe (CSRD & ESRS)
- Explain how to leverage ESG performance to raise capital
Training Course Content
- ESG and why it is important
- Global developments regarding ESG
- ESG Strategy vs ESG Tactics
- Materiality
- Voluntary ESG reporting frameworks
- Accounting for climate change
- The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)
- ESG Data, Accounting, and Information Management
- Data collection principles
- ESG report assurance
- The ESG arbitrage effect
- ESG Throughout the Investment Lifecycle
- ESG risk mitigation & value creation
- Telling a compelling and honest ESG story
- The power and value of narrative in ESG reporting
Course delivery details
- Group live instruction and illustrative examples
- Description and explanation of IFRS technical requirements in clear and simple language
- Use of case studies and real-world examples to illustrate practical application of theStandards
- Interactive participation is encouraged
At VantagePoint, we have a policy to avoid unnecessary printing. All course materials will be provided in soft copy. The only printed materials will be those necessary for exercises in class.
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