Course content includes:

• ESG given birth in 2004 by 18 financial institutions and it’s motivation is that companies that perform better on these issues can increase shareholder value by, properly managing risks, anticipating regulatory action or accessing new markets, while at the same time contributing to the sustainable development of the societies in which they operate. Importantly, these issues can have a strong impact on reputation and brands, an increasingly important part of company value.
• Many organisations have established ESG “Rules”, these include:-
  • ESG Reporting: Rules being established by EU Commission – the CSR Directive (CSRD).
  • Detailed rules have been drafted by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), an EU body, but the European Commission is due to ease them as some MEPs are worried about “too much red tape” from the EU’s “green deal” reforms.
  • Easing of ESG reporting rules has been criticised by some commentators as now all data points and indicators are voluntary not mandatory!  The EU commission wants to align with ISSB “rules” which are very relaxed.
• Under CSRD reporting shall be required on
  • Environmental disclosures covering each of the EU Taxonomy environmental objectives, which are climate change mitigation (including Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions), climate change adaptation, water and marine resources, resource use and circular economy, pollution, and biodiversity and ecosystems.
  • On GHGs – Three of the most common frameworks used by corporations are:

o   Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol

o   The EPA’s: GHG Inventory Guidance

o   ISO Standard 14064

• • Social and human rights disclosures covering information on gender equality, working conditions and respect for human rights as defined by core United Nations and EU human rights conventions.
  • Governance disclosures covering information on how the company’s administrative, management and supervisory bodies manage sustainability matters, risk management and internal controls over the sustainability reporting process, business ethics and lobbying activities.