OVERVIEW

Join us for this upcoming live online course which will introduce you to the fundamental principles of sustainable/ESG investing and how current and developing trends are influencing this emerging discipline. The demand for sustainable investing has grown considerably in recent years. It can be thought of as an investment strategy that seeks to consider both financial return and environmental, social, and governance issues. The approach involves the incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions.

Through a combination of lecture, discussion, and group exercises, participants will learn about financially material Environmental Social Governance (ESG) indicators and data providers, and learn how to translate corporate performance on sustainability into financial performance. They will also review best practices in ESG and impact investing, and develop their own sustainable investment strategies. Executives will leave this course with concrete ideas about how to incorporate sustainable investment practices within their organizations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After this course, you will be able to:

• Articulate what sustainable investing is as an investment strategy in its own right
• Recognise the importance of sustainable investing as a development finance tool
• Analyse the significance of Environmental, Social and (corporate) Governance (ESG) factors on the performance of a sustainable investment opportunity
• Identify financial institutions involved in sustainable investing and what form their involvement can take
• Explain the significance of ESG screening criteria and ratings
• Recognise the relationship between sustainable investing and the potential for value creation
• Create a framework to:
  • Evaluate the potential value of a sustainable investment opportunity
  • Determine the how, when and why i.e. the potential value drivers of the investment and their sensitivity
• Explain the implications of ESG criteria upon the due diligence process
• Understand the role of ESG investing in the investment landscape
• Understand the legal and compliance issues surrounding ESG investment
• Understand global trends and regulatory developments along with their financial analysis impacts

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is designed for financial services practitioners across the industry looking to improve their understanding of ESG issues. Also Asset Allocators/Portfolio Strategists, Portfolio Managers, Investment Advisors, Product Developers, Marketing and Distribution Professionals, Private Bankers/Wealth Managers, Equity and Fixed, Income Analysts, Board of Directors and every other interested personnel willing to develop skills in Sustainable/ESG Investing.

 

COURSE AGENDA

MODULE 1: What is Environmental, Social and (Corporate) Governance and Relative Legislation

 

• ESG Definition
• The Evolution of ESG
• Why Report on ESG Considerations
• Key Considerations for Companies and Investors
• What can Companies and Investors Do
• Relating Legislation
• Investor Initiatives and Upcoming Trends

 

MODULE 2: Understanding the Link Between Sustainability Reporting and Investors: How ESG Info is Used by Investors

 

• Integrating Sustainability Into Financial Valuation
• Socially Responsible Investing
• Guidelines and tools for Identifying ESG Factors
• The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

 

MODULE 3: Material ESG Issues and Indicators

• ESG Indicators
• Environmental Concerns and Trends
• Social Concerns and Trends
• Governance Concerns and Trends

 

MODULE 4: ESG Standards & Rankings

• Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
• Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI)
• Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI)
• Sustainalytics Ratings
• FTSE ESG Ratings
• GMI ESG Ratings
• Bloomberg ESG Criteria
• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)

 

Module 5: Measuring Sustainable Investment Performance and Communicating with your Financial Stakeholders

• Triple Bottom Line revisited
• The United Nations instituted Principles for Responsible Investment
• Environmental, Social and (corporate) Governance (ESG) Factors

– introduction and background – what are ESG factors

– why ESG factors are important, including but not restricted to:

~ changing societal values, ~ performance, ~ fundraising, ~ impact on the investment process

– ESG metrics – sustainability disclosures, reports and ratings

 

NOTE: This course can be run virtually online or as an in-house, tailored learning solution