Learning about ESG?

This week, I want to answer a question we frequently get: where can someone learn about ESG and the right way to think about sustainability? Clearly this question has a different answer depending on who is asking (a corporate, an investor, or only a curious person) and how much time they want to dedicate to this. Having said that, we have compiled some resources below which we think can be helpful to many. These are just the tip of the iceberg as there are tons of resources to learn about ESG out there, but we think they may be a good starting point.

• For investors
  • EFFAS Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA®) – focused on the valuation, measurement, and integration of ESG issues into investment analysis.
  • CFA’s Certificate on ESG Investing – designed for investors who want to learn more about understanding and integrating ESG factors into their investments.
  • NYU’s Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing – focused on identifying key ESG indicators, understanding who the data providers are and how to integrate this into financial performance assumptions.
  • The many resources from the UN’s PRI Academy – covers from the very basic topics to much more detailed topics on how to handle a responsible investment strategy.

• For corporates
  • HBS’s Sustainable Business Strategy – focused on how businesses can be profitable and contribute to sustainable development at the same time.
  • Cambridge’s Business Sustainability Management – covers the main sustainability notions and how companies can define a sustainability strategy, how they should communicate it, and how to develop partnerships to boost its impact.
  • NYU’s Sustainability Training for Business Leaders – focused on how companies can contribute to solve environmental and social challenges while maintaining financial returns.
  • Stanford’s Strategies for Sustainability Program – provides frameworks and tools useful to promote sustainability.

• For everyone
  • Corporate Finance Institute’s Introduction to ESG – a short and quick introduction on what is ESG and key considerations for corporates and investors.
  • IASE’s Sustainability Certifications  (International Sustainable Finance, International Sustainable Business) – both cover a wide array of sustainability topics
  • Some resources from Coursera:
    • Corporate sustainability and sustainable investing
    • Corporate Sustainability. Understanding and Seizing the Strategic Opportunity
    • UN’s PRI Academy

There is no shortcut to learning everything there is to know on ESG. I would even argue it is impossible to know everything there is to know on ESG as this topic is constantly evolving. Because of that, anyone who wants to truly take ESG integration far will probably have to become a student for life. From our point of view, this will be rewarding though. 

I hope you found this interesting. As usual, if there is anything we can help you with, please reach out.

Best,

Marimar

CEO, Miranda ESG