20 Best Free ESG Courses and Certifications ([month] [year])

By Queen Elle
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ESG Courses offer a comprehensive exploration into the realm of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and practices.

These courses are designed to provide individuals with a deep understanding of the critical factors that contribute to sustainable and responsible business operations.

Environmental considerations, social equity, and strong governance are increasingly becoming fundamental pillars for businesses aiming to align with societal values and create a positive impact on the planet and its people.

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ESG Courses delve into diverse aspects, including sustainability reporting, ethical decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and corporate responsibility, preparing participants to navigate the evolving landscape of responsible business practices.


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Best Free ESG Courses and Certifications

The Environmental, Social, and Governance movement is one of the most important movements in the corporate world, and it is one of the movements that has made it possible for businesses to incorporate sustainability into their operations.

We are here to assist you in gaining an understanding of ESG investment as well as contributing to it.

We at Schoolnews have compiled a list of some of the best online ESG investing courses, tutorials, classes, training, and executive programs that can be found on the internet.

It provides you with access to all of the fundamental resources that are necessary for you to become an expert in ESG Investing. In addition, the courses are perfect for senior executives, managers in the middle of their careers, and analysts.

No  COURSES INSTITUTES
1.  Corporate Sustainability Management: Risk, Profit, and Purpose  Yale
2. Sustainable Real Estate: Creating a Better Built Environment  University of Cambridge
3. Sustainable Finance  University of Cambridge
4. Sustainable Finance and Investment  Yale
5. Sustainable Development Goals Course by University of Copenhagen  Coursera
6. Sustainability Strategies: Develop Initiatives to Transform Your Business  Stanford Business
7. Sustainability Leadership Programme for Senior Executives  INSEAD Executive Education
8. Sustainability Leadership Program  Texas McCombs Executive Education
9. Sustainable Supply Chain Management University of Cambridge
10. Oxford Leading Sustainable Corporations Programme  Oxford
11. MIT Sloan Business Sustainability Strategy: Technology and Management  MIT
12. Introduction to Sustainability Course by University of Illinois  Coursera
13.  Imperial Sustainability Leadership Programme  Imperial College Business School
14.  Free ESG Courses  Udemy
15.  ESG Investing Executive Education Program  Columbia Business School
16.  Sustainability Executive Education Programs  University of Cambridge
17.  Circular Economy Course- Sustainable Materials Management Coursera
18. Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies Executive Education Program  University of Cambridge
19.  Chief Sustainability Officer Professional Certificate MIT
20. Business Sustainability Management  University of Cambridge

 

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  1. Corporate Sustainability Management: Risk, Profit, And Purpose (Yale School of Management)
  2. Oxford Leading Sustainable Corporations Programme (Said Business School, Oxford University)
  3. ESG Investing Executive Education Program – (Columbia Business School)
  4. Chief Sustainability Officer Professional Certificate (MIT)
  5. Sustainable Finance And Investment (Yale School of Management)
  6. Sustainable Finance (University of Cambridge)
  7. Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies (University of Cambridge)
  8. Business Sustainability Management (University of Cambridge)
  9. Sustainable Supply Chain Management (University Of Cambridge)
  10. Certificate In ESG Investing (CFA Institute)
  11. ESG and Sustainable Investing 101 (Udemy)

Bonus Courses

  1. Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing (Stern Executive Education)
  2. Introduction to ESG (Corporate Finance Institute)

1. Corporate Sustainability Management: Risk, Profit, And Purpose (Yale School of Management)

With the help of some of the best professors in the world, you may increase both your profit and your purpose in the field of corporate sustainability management by completing this professional certificate program.

In this opportunity, you will be guided through a number of useful educational modules, some of which include the following: the business imperative for sustainability; integrating sustainability into corporate strategy; developing your sustainability tool kit; performing a multistakeholder risk assessment; and many more.

You will also receive insights from world-renowned experts to assist you in identifying and addressing sustainability risks and relevant opportunities for your businesses, and you will receive these insights during the conference.

At the end of this course, you will be provided with a practical handbook that details the standards, principles, and recommendations that will aid you in implementing lucrative sustainability strategies.

Highlights

  1. A comprehensive curriculum that is designed to assist you in developing a powerful corporate sustainability plan that will offer your company an advantage over its competitors.
  2. Learn how to analyze the impact that different types of capital and decision-making frameworks have on the value of potential risks and opportunities related to sustainable development.
  3. Acquire the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary to recognize the risks connected with sustainability in any corporate organization from teachers and specialists of international reputation.
  4. Gain an understanding of the various frameworks, standards, and norms already in place that practitioners of corporate sustainability may rely on.
  5. Determine which possibilities and hazards related to sustainability are most important to a company and the people who are invested in it.

Duration: 6 weeks, 8-10 hours/week

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

2. Oxford Leading Sustainable Corporations Programme (Said Business School, Oxford University)

The C-suite executives, senior professionals, and consultants who would benefit the most from participating in the Oxford Leading Sustainable Corporations Programme are those who have earned the CPD Certification Service’s stamp of approval. Richard Barker, who is a professor of accounting at the Sad Business School at the University of Oxford, is the person in charge of the program that is associated with this class.

He is recognized as an authority in the field of financial reporting and is a lecturer in the MBA program at Oxford Sad.

His studies concentrate on business topics such as reporting, both financial and non-financial, as well as accountability and sustainability in the workplace.

The participants will learn how to lead sustainable change in their own organizations, which is the primary focus of the curriculum.

Highlights

  1. Recognize the significance of maintaining social sustainability.
  2. Educate yourself on how to steer your company through changes that are long-lasting.
  3. Gain an understanding of the relationship a company has with its natural resources.
  4. Gain an understanding of the value generating process and the objective of the company.
  5. Gain an understanding of the relationship between governance, risk, and reporting in order to successfully ensure sustainability.
  6. Gain access to the leading research and the insights of industry experts.
  7. Receive a certificate of completion once the program has been successfully completed.
  8. Gain knowledge along with a diverse group of members from around the world.
  9. Attend lectures given by Oxford University’s illustrious academic staff to have access to high-caliber educational content.

Duration: 6 weeks, 7–10 hours per week

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

3. ESG Investing Executive Education Program – (Columbia Business School)

This online executive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Investing program is geared toward senior executives, mid-career managers, and analysts who have previous experience working in corporate finance, investment management, or banking.

You will be able to explore topics such as finance and sustainability, the incorporation of ESG criteria into portfolio allocation, the introduction of financial and investing concepts, and you will finish with financial analysis and valuation.

You will be able to apply ESG reporting frameworks after completing this curriculum, and you will also be able to explain how firms are responding to climate risk.

In addition to this, you’ll be able to consider the dangers posed by climate change, factor in environmental, social, and governance considerations while conducting investment research, and articulate your vision for the future of your business.

Highlights

  1. Find out how to determine the dangers associated with the changing weather, and investigate the ways in which organizations are reacting to such dangers.
  2. Learn how to recognize the claims that funds and organizations make about their sustainability activities, and investigate how organizations manage transition risk.
  3. Include discussion of a variety of learning outcomes, including the ESG information landscape, shareholders versus stakeholders, ESG measures, and the future of sustainable investing.
  4. Investigate the future of ESG investment and look into the three pillars that support sustainable investing, which are intangibles, the climate, and sustainability-based products.
  5. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings and supplemental data should be analyzed to ensure that investment choices are made in a responsible manner.

Duration: 7 weeks, 4-6 hours/week

Rating: 4.6 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

4. Chief Sustainability Officer Professional Certificate (MIT)

This program is ideal for high-potential leaders, managers, and other professionals who wish to learn and grasp numerous elements of business sustainability policies thanks to its immersive learning setup.

You will learn about a wide range of issues related to sustainability, such as ESG (environmental, social, and governance).

Because governments today have strict rules and regulations in place to safeguard the environment and local populations, the leaders of businesses have a responsibility to be aware of these challenges.

People nowadays are placing pressure on businesses to adopt environmentally friendly business procedures and to guarantee that workers, employees, and anybody else involved in the production process is paid a fair wage.

You will develop skills in leadership, innovation, and strategy through participation in this program, which will enable you to make sound judgments on the development and implementation of sustainable projects and systems.

Highlights

  1. Figure out how to construct and run infrastructure and projects that are environmentally friendly.
  2. Participants in the immersive learning program will have the opportunity to attend live classes both in-person and virtually.
  3. You will get access to a premium network as well as an ecosystem consisting of peers, top executives, and MIT faculty.
  4. A career success coach will provide you with personalized coaching sessions in which you will receive career advice.

Duration: 12 months

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

5. Sustainable Finance And Investment (Yale School of Management)

This online prospectus was made for the purpose of assisting you in achieving long-term growth by incorporating environmental, social, and governance considerations into your investment decisions.

You will get a pragmatic understanding of the ESG ecosystem, data, and metrics, as well as how to make use of these resources to construct investment strategies.

In addition, you will be able to cover a variety of learning outcomes with the assistance of this course, including sustainable investing techniques, asset pricing and portfolio management, and many other topics.

The specialization is arranged by highly experienced tutors from the Yale School of Management, who will work with you during the classes to provide additional support. They will also be in charge of organizing the specialization.

After finishing the course, you will have the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to make educated and sustainable decisions regarding your finances and investments.

Highlights

  1. A cooperative program that will teach you how to evaluate the effect of an investment by using a wide variety of data and will do it by collaborating with other people.
  2. Take into consideration the roles that environmental, social, and governance factors play in alternative fixed-income products and non-public equity investment products.
  3. Conduct research into how asset pricing and portfolio management models are affected by ESG elements (environmental, social, and governance aspects).
  4. Investigate the current status of data pertaining to environmental, social, and governance issues, and become familiar with the relevant analytical techniques and applications.

Duration: 6 weeks, 5-8 hours/week

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

6. Sustainable Finance (University of Cambridge)

This is a brief online course that will assist you in constructing a strategy for establishing a sustainable economy that offers long-term value returns, as well as exploring the potential financial benefits of sustainable financial systems.

If you enroll in this particular course, you will be able to walk away with techniques and frameworks for responding to financial risks posed by social and sustainability challenges, such as positive screening, impact investing, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing.

These are just some of the topics that will be covered. Throughout the duration of this brief online course, you will engage with a variety of learning modules, some of which include an Introduction to Sustainable Finance, a Sustainable Finance Solution, Trends, Disruption, Innovation, and Sustainable Finance, and many more. At the conclusion of the course, you will be able to construct a sound strategy for developing an economy that is both sustainable and oriented toward the long term.

Highlights

  1. Gain an understanding of the relationship between risk and return, as well as the influence on sustainable finance, including the management of capital in firms operating in the private sector and the formulation of policies in the public sector.
  2. Investigate the ways in which the existing monetary system might be interconnected to have a beneficial effect on society and to increase the long-term economic value of your firm.
  3. Gain important skills and gain crucial recognition from a wide variety of universities all over the world, fully online and on your own schedule.
  4. Experience a personalized online learning environment that is intermediate in level and is meant to make you feel encouraged at every stage.

Duration: 8 weeks, 6-8 hours/week

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

To Register, Click Here


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7. Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies (University of Cambridge)

This training will help you understand the influence that circular economy and sustainability have on your business if you are seeking for sustainable solutions for the success of your company.

This curriculum, which was developed by knowledgeable specialists from the University of Cambridge, may teach you how to achieve and expand a sustainable business by incorporating the ideas of a circular economy into your business plans. Six different modules, including “Introduction to Sustainability and Natural Capital,” “Driving Innovation through Impactful Solutions,” “Impact Investment: Fundamentals and Characteristics,” and a great deal more, will be covered in the course’s interactive lectures.

You will be able to access a digital certificate provided by Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education once you have successfully completed this module.

Highlights

  1. Discover how to examine how circularity supports sustainability, describe the different additional enablers of sustainability, and design waste out of your company operations by reading this lesson.
  2. Acquire the knowledge necessary to construct long-lasting cultures in firms, which may involve merging a variety of other business tactics into the construction process.
  3. Gain an understanding of the myriad ways in which the three facets of sustainability—society, environment, and economy—are interconnected and how these interrelationships might vary.
  4. Have the ability to define the components of sustainable finance while investigating the effects of assessing investments
  5. Gain access to state-of-the-art learning tools, including Mobile access, live webinars, devoted support, and more.

Duration: 6 weeks, 4-6 hours/week

Rating: 4.6 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

8. Business Sustainability Management (University of Cambridge)

This sustainability management, which was developed in conjunction with the University of Cambridge, can assist you in launching a business or expanding your skill set while you are working in your existing position.

By enrolling in this program, you will be able to broaden your knowledge of sustainability across a variety of businesses, industries, and practices, such as the energy sector, environmental, social, and governance (ESG), and business consulting.

You have the potential to steer your company through the transition to a more sustainable model, regardless of the level of management or leadership responsibilities you currently hold.

If you complete this course with a passing grade, you will be awarded a certificate from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership attesting to the fact that you are knowledgeable in the field of environmental management.

Highlights

  1. Discover what it takes to be an effective change agent, how to overcome obstacles to change, how to acquire support through networking, and how to design a tailored action plan for sustainability.
  2. You will leave with a plan of action for integrating sustainability across the value chain of your firm to guarantee that value is created over the long run.
  3. The business case for sustainability should be discussed, integrated sustainability strategies should be built, and these strategies should be implemented within your sphere of influence.
  4. Be able to put in place the necessary business models and procedures to ensure sustainable sourcing, production, and consumption of goods and services.
  5. The online course will provide you with an approach that is both flexible and structured, allowing you to fit your education into your schedule while still achieving weekly goals.

Duration: 8-12 hours/week

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

9. Sustainable Supply Chain Management (University Of Cambridge)

This supply chain management course can be of assistance to you in your endeavor if you are seeking to harness supply chain transformation in order to accomplish the objectives of your firm and produce value over the long run.

Individuals who are interested in gaining knowledge that will assist them in building a supply chain that is robust and environmentally friendly are the target audience for this curriculum.

You will gain a better understanding of how advancements in innovation, analytics, and technology contribute to the facilitation of integrated supply chains and traceability.

Throughout the entirety of this course, you will be guided through the knowledge and foresight necessary to manage the risks associated with operating in environments that are volatile, uncertain, and complicated in order to construct supply chains that are robust and sustainable.

In addition to this, you’ll be capable of formulating a plan of action to change dynamic and complicated supply chains into ones that are resilient and sustainable.

Highlights

  1. Examine the difficulties encountered in a world where supply chains are volatile, unpredictable, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA), as well as the ways in which this lowers the impact of taking a global viewpoint.
  2. Determine the part that technology plays in making integrated supply networks possible, as well as the new boundaries of digital supply chains and the potential for increased identifiable
  3. Recognize your capacity to bring about change, bring together the people and resources you can count on, and devise a plan to achieve your goals.
  4. Broaden your understanding of value and reevaluate your dependencies by taking a global perspective on supply chains.

Duration: 8 weeks, 7–10 hours/week

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

10. Certificate In ESG Investing (CFA Institute)

This program is a wonderful option for you to consider if you want to advance your career by gaining knowledge about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and how they affect your company.

You will be able to master real-world investing techniques and include ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations into your skill set if you participate in this program.

This certificate from the CFA Institute in Environmental, Social, and Governance investing provides you with both practical application and technical knowledge in the rapidly expanding field of ESG supporting, giving you the ability to both advance progress and demonstrate purpose.

In addition, the certificate has been acknowledged by the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment as a means to improve returns and better manage business risks.

It was produced by industry experts who are considered to be leaders in their field. CFA Institute is the organization in charge of both the administration and the awarding of the Certificate in ESG Investing.

Highlights

  1. A thorough training program created for investment professionals, focusing on the evaluation and incorporation of material environmental, social, and governance concerns into their day-to-day work.
  2. Ideal for individuals who are interested in working in front or back offices, as well as related roles, such as sales and distribution, wealth management, product creation, and financial consulting.
  3. Get access to a variety of materials, including the electronic version of the course material, questions for self-evaluation, and practice tests.
  4. The purpose of this course is to enhance your comprehension of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) issues that exist in the real world.

Duration: Variable

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

11. ESG and Sustainable Investing 101 (Udemy)

This ESG & Sustainability Investing program can be of assistance to you in every possible way, regardless of whether you are a financial counselor, a specialist in finance, an investor, a portfolio manager, or a student of business who is interested in the topic of sustainability.

You will get the opportunity to gain and build core knowledge on Socially Responsible and Sustainable Investing by participation in this program.

Throughout the entirety of this course, you will acquire knowledge regarding the foundation and current situation of the market, as well as fundamental phrases and concepts utilized in the sector.

You will also go through some additional, more particular environmental, societal, and governance concerns and hazards, such as changes in the weather, a lack of water, human rights, data privacy, and cyber security.

Following the conclusion of the course, you will have the capability to conduct investment risk analysis at your organization.

Highlights

  1. Learn about the seven most important tactics for ESG investing, including norms-based screening, negative screening, positive screening, and ESG integration.
  2. Offers question-and-answer sessions and networking opportunities on a quarterly basis, along with a variety of free resources that might assist you in continuing to expand your expertise.
  3. Discover everything you need to know about ESG and Sustainable Investing, Responsible Investing, ESG Investing Strategies, ESG Financial Performance, and Careers in ESG Investing.
  4. You have access to a variety of free courses and tutorials, so you can educate yourself on the fundamentals of software development.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Rating: 4.3 out of 5

To Register, Click Here

Bonus Courses

1. Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing (Stern Executive Education)

This structured program can assist you in gaining an understanding of sustainable finance.

It was designed with company leaders, managers, and persons working in finance in mind. This Sustainable Finance and ESG Investing curriculum, which was developed in collaboration with New York University, will give you with the experience, tools, and community of practice that you need to be a vital component of this worldwide phenomenon.

The information will be presented through a combination of lectures and discussions, and it is intended to assist you in gaining an understanding of financially relevant Environmental Social Governance (ESG) data sources.

In addition, you will investigate how firms can incorporate environmentally responsible investment strategies into their operations.

Highlights

  1. Acquire the skills necessary to successfully invest in businesses despite the quickly changing environmental, social, and political ecosystems
  2. Find and speed up innovation within the organization by integrating a study of the impacts and consequences of sustainability into all of your products, services, and activities.
  3. Learn how to transfer a company’s success on sustainability into financial performance using the best practices in environmental, social, and governance investment (ESG)
  4. Study Sustainable Finance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing with Knowledgeable NYU Stern Faculty and Well-Known Subject Matter Experts
  5. Milton Friedman held the notion that the only reason corporations exist is to deliver profits to shareholders. Expanding your perspective to include other stakeholders in the company will help you move beyond this approach.

Duration: Variable

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

2. Introduction to ESG (Corporate Finance Institute)

This program is the best choice for you if you are a business analyst and want to have an understanding of how a company manages the risks and possibilities posed by evolving market and non-market situations.

This program offers a summary of an ESG framework as well as an explanation of how it contributes to the overall risk management of a firm.

You will be able to investigate concepts that are helpful for beginners and intermediate level research analysts, banking and investment professionals, and students of business and finance with the help of this program.

You will also examine how to look at corporate pressures and the expectations of stakeholders, as well as their impact on the identification of risks and the success of businesses, while going through this program.

You will be awarded a digital badge of achievement upon successful completion of the course, which you can then present to prospective employers.

Highlights

  1. This course is designed to help any business analyst who wishes to advise customers on public market clients on ESG initiatives and improved disclosures.
  2. Go through each section in great depth, and try to develop an understanding of how they interact to have an effect on the firm and the people it serves.
  3. Utilizing information that is available to the public, conduct an analysis of ESG risks and opportunities, and evaluate the performance of an environmental, social, and governance-related firm.
  4. Have the ability to outline important issues pertaining to the environment, society, and governance; define ESG; and explain how it relates to the process of making financial decisions

Duration: Variable

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Conclusion

In conclusion, ESG Courses stand at the forefront of fostering a more sustainable and responsible future for businesses and society.

The growing importance of environmental, social, and governance factors necessitates a deep-rooted understanding and integration of these principles within corporate strategies.

ESG Courses equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complex challenges of today’s global business landscape while fostering ethical business practices and sustainable decision-making.

As businesses increasingly recognize the significance of ESG considerations in their operations, these courses provide a vital foundation for professionals striving to drive positive change, contribute to a more equitable world, and ensure the longevity of both organizations and the planet.

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