The integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors is no longer a niche concern but a fundamental aspect of financial stewardship, risk management, and regulatory compliance. This training course provides a comprehensive and strategic guide for professionals to understand, analyze, and implement robust ESG-RC frameworks. We will explore how to move beyond basic reporting to strategically embed sustainability and ethical principles into an organization's core operations, ensuring long-term resilience and value creation. This program is essential for those who recognize that effective governance and responsible practices are critical drivers of success in the modern financial landscape.

This intensive program delves into the intricate connections between ESG principles and the regulatory and compliance demands of a globalized economy. Participants will gain practical skills in assessing climate risk, navigating social and human capital issues, and strengthening corporate governance. Through a series of in-depth case studies and practical exercises, attendees will learn how to design and implement a comprehensive ESG-RC program that meets stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements. By the end of this course, you will be equipped to champion ESG-RC initiatives, enhancing your institution's reputation, mitigating risks, and contributing to a more sustainable financial system.

Duration:

10 days

Target Audience:

• Financial regulators and supervisors
• Risk managers and compliance officers
• ESG analysts and sustainability professionals
• Board members and corporate secretaries
• Internal auditors and legal professionals
• Investment managers and portfolio analysts
• Government officials in finance and environmental ministries
• Public relations and communications staff
• Executives responsible for strategic planning

Objectives:

• Understand the core concepts of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
• Grasp the drivers and frameworks of ESG-related risk and compliance
• Formulate a robust ESG-RC strategy for an organization
• Analyze and integrate climate and environmental data into risk models
• Evaluate social factors such as human rights and labor practices
• Interpret corporate governance frameworks and their impact on performance
• Assess the legal and regulatory landscape of ESG reporting and disclosures
• Develop a framework for ethical decision-making and stakeholder engagement
• Implement a system for monitoring and reporting on ESG-RC performance
• Apply lessons from global case studies and best practices

Course Modules:

Module 1: Foundations of ESG

• The evolution of ESG and its relevance to finance
• Key ESG pillars: Environmental, Social, and Governance
• The business case for ESG integration
• Understanding the ESG data ecosystem
• ESG and its impact on value creation and risk management

Module 2: ESG-Related Risks

• The distinction between physical and transition climate risks
• The role of social and reputational risks
• Understanding governance and compliance risks
• Assessing ESG-related litigation risks
• Identifying new and emerging ESG-related risks

Module 3: Global ESG Frameworks

• The United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI)
• The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• The role of global reporting standards (GRI, SASB)
• Country-specific ESG reporting requirements

Module 4: Environmental Stewardship

• Measuring and managing a company's carbon footprint
• The impact of climate change on financial assets
• Water management and resource efficiency
• Biodiversity and ecosystem services
• The role of green finance and sustainable investing

Module 5: Social Responsibility

• The importance of human capital management and labor practices
• Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
• Community relations and social impact
• Human rights and supply chain management
• The role of employee health and safety

Module 6: Corporate Governance

• The role of the board of directors in ESG oversight
• Executive compensation and accountability
• Shareholder rights and proxy voting
• Combating bribery and corruption
• The importance of a robust ethics and integrity program

Module 7: ESG Data & Analytics

• Sourcing and validating ESG data
• The challenges of data quality and disclosure
• The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in analysis
• Building a data-driven ESG-RC dashboard
• The strategic use of ESG ratings and scores

Module 8: ESG Regulation & Compliance

• The regulatory landscape for ESG disclosures
• The role of central banks and financial regulators
• Compliance with anti-greenwashing regulations
• The legal implications of ESG commitments
• Best practices for regulatory reporting

Module 9: ESG-RC Strategy & Implementation

• Developing a comprehensive ESG-RC roadmap
• Integrating ESG into corporate strategy and operations
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders
• The role of leadership in driving ESG-RC initiatives
• Measuring and communicating ESG-RC performance

Module 10: Climate Risk & Financial Stability

• The impact of climate change on the financial system
• Climate-related stress testing and scenario analysis
• The role of central banks in greening the economy
• The use of climate risk data in financial stability reports
• Global cooperation on climate finance

Module 11: Responsible Investing

• The concepts of impact investing and sustainable finance
• The due diligence process for ESG-focused investments
• Assessing a portfolio's ESG performance
• Shareholder engagement and active ownership
• The role of fiduciary duty in ESG investing

Module 12: Ethical Risk Assessment

• Identifying and categorizing ethical risks
• Conducting an ethical risk audit
• The role of internal controls in mitigating risk
• The importance of a strong control environment
• Developing a risk mitigation plan

Module 13: Supply Chain Compliance

• Assessing ESG risks in the supply chain
• Developing a supplier code of conduct
• The role of third-party audits and certifications
• Managing human rights risks in the supply chain
• Best practices for supply chain transparency

Module 14: ESG Communication & Reporting

• The principles of effective ESG reporting
• Communicating with investors and stakeholders
• The use of social media and public relations
• The role of integrated reporting
• The importance of transparency and accuracy

Module 15: The Future of ESG-RC

• The evolution of ESG metrics and standards
• The impact of new technologies on ESG
• The challenges of global ESG harmonization
• The long-term outlook for sustainable finance
• A strategic roadmap for continuous improvement

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.