ESG Full Bundle 2nd Edition

Course Structure

Learning outcomes:

An introduction to ESG (Session 1)

• Explain what ESG is, and its relevance today;
• Describe key environmental, social, and governance issues;
• Understand ESG impacts, risks and opportunities;
• Explain how stakeholders influence corporate ESG performance.

The Environmental Pillar(Session 2)

• Recognise the impacts of climate change and the urgency required by institutions for change
• Understand environmental risks and opportunities, including those related to climate change, pollution, waste, water and biodiversity.
• Understand the main pressures driving environmental sustainability
• Explain the different scope and activities associated with GHG emissions
• Understand how companies measure and report GHG emissions
• Identify emerging regulatory trends in GHG disclosures
• Recognise the need for the transition to net zero
• Identify different opportunities available to drive environmental change

The Social Pillar (Session 3)

• Outline the key labour standards and their indicators of measurement
• Describe how human rights can be integrated in businesses across the value chain
• Explain Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and their relevance for businesses.
• Recognise the increasing stakeholder demands for diversity and inclusion practices due to the exacerbation of social inequalities emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify best practices to manage stakeholder expectations
• Understand the concept of ‘Just Transition’ and explain its importance within an ESG context
• Discuss Socially Responsible Investments (SRI)

The Governance Pillar (Session 4)

Corporate Behaviour

• Grasp the importance of a well articulated and disseminated corporate culture;
• Understand the role of business integrity and ethical business conduct
• Manage legal and regulatory risk including tax governance
• Become familiar with key aspects of EU Taxonomy

Governance Framework

• Achieve the right board composition and diversity;
• Understand ESG governance models
• Set up the right strategy and risk oversight framework with a focus on ESG risk management;
• Understand the important role that ESG plays in preventing corruption and bribery.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in practice (Session 5)

• Become familiar with the main reporting references and recognition standards;
• Identify the current and upcoming legislation on an EU level, including the implications to non-EU countries;
• Understand the context of EU regulation, mainly CSRD;
• Know who is required to publish a sustainability report, what is the timeline, whether the report need to be assured and other novelties;
• Understand what are European sustainability reporting standards (ESRS);
• Outline of the ESRS and disclosure requirements;
• Pinpoint to the key points of the reporting process;
• Know how to identify the potential opportunities through the reporting process.

ESG and Taxation (Session 6)

• Understand the impact of green taxes and tax incentives on decarbonisation/Net Zero journeys and ESG related changes to supply chains;
• Identify the practical impact of CBAM (Cross-border Adjustment Mechanism) and associated reform of the EU ETS (Emissions Trading System);
• Consider the main tax implications of the people and ‘S’ related aspects of any ESG related measures including reward design and upholding the right work practices, and people-oriented tax incentives;
• Consider other relevant tax developments on the horizon and their potential impact on business.

ESG Strategy and Business Transformation (Session 7)

• Develop stakeholder engagement skills
• Understand the material themes that are both sector specific and organisation specific
• Understand how to integrate ESG factors into your business strategy
• Understand how to communicate your ESG strategy effectively
• Understand how to develop an institutional ESG framework and create an ESG vision and mission
• Become familiar with SME grants and initiatives aimed at encouraging ESG implementation and integration
• Recognise how to implement the circular economy into business operations
• Recognise how to improve the sustainability of the supply chain (particularly for SMEs)
• Understand the importance of upskilling the workforce

ESG Technology Aspects (Session 8)

• Understand how to prioritise ESG topics and risks
• Become familiar with performing an ESG audit
• Become familiar with the steps involved in a data collection plan
• Establish repeatable workflows
• Understand factors that contribute to defining best practice in ESG compliance

ESG Application Workshop (Session 9)

• Use of a case study for participants to design a strategic ESG roadmap
• Walkthrough of best-practice examples of global and local reporting
• Explore material issues across different industries, complemented by interactive discussions with course trainers who are sustainability practitioners
• Complete PwC’s ESG Readiness Tool to understand the company’s current ESG maturity and recommendations for improving practices.

Practical insights into measuring GHG emissions and net zero [online] (Session 10)

• Identify scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
• Understand the complexities and methodologies behind effective emission measurement
• Become familiar with best practices for data collection and analysis
• Delve deeper into the reporting requirements under CSRD
• Differentiate between the concepts of carbon neutrality vs net zero
• Discover strategies to mitigate and manage emissions
• Discover the paths to achieve net zero, aligning with EU goals such as the 1.5°C target

Should Attend

This comprehensive programme by PwC on ESG is targeted towards employees working within SMEs and large companies.

There are no specific prerequisites for this programme, and any individual interested in learning more about ESG can apply.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites

Assessment

There is no assessment. At the end of the session you will receive a certificate of attendance.

Key-Features

The sessions were designed to be highly interactive, engaging, practical and thought provoking.

This programme constitutes a suite of nine (9) sessions and all of them contribute towards CPE hours.