As a Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University in ESG Integration for almost ten years, I would suggest the following resources for those who are interested in a career in sustainability. First, understand that ESG and sustainability are iterative processes that are constantly innovating as processes improve, new data becomes available, and investor, corporate, regulatory, and consumer preferences and pressures change. Second, given this, it is important to review current best practices by thought leaders, learn about ESG integration tools, and then begin to apply these processes and tools. Please reach out of if you have any questions.

In my experience, thoroughly reading the ESG reporting frameworks like GRI, BRSR, etc can prove to be of the greatest help in understanding ESG. In case of GRI for instance, the guidance associated with most disclosures details the reporting details and all relevant information regarding that particular data point. This document can prove to be a comprehensive source to enhance one’s knowledge.

Something I recommend to anyone interested in sustainability is to try to avoid information overwhelm. Nothing will kill your enthusiasm or send you into a spiral faster than diving straight into something like the technical, wordy, alphabet soup-y world of ESG ratings, for example. I recommend picking one information outlet to begin with - I personally like edie.net (free!), or Responsible Investor (paid, unfortunately) - and subscribe to their updates. This will help give you a sense of which topics you like, while providing an overview of whats going on in the ESG world. I'd then dedicate an hour or so each week to just reading and absorbing any interesting articles you came across during the week. Start small and go from there!

In my experience, these essentially Anglo-Saxon standards differ slightly from European standards. The former focus on simple materiality (the impact of ESG issues on the company's activities), while the latter focus on double materiality (the impact of ESG issues on the company's activities and the company's impact on ESG issues).

To gain a comprehensive understanding of ESG, it is crucial to acquaint oneself with the multitude of standards and ratings that evaluate and benchmark ESG performance across sectors, regions, and themes. Noteworthy among these are the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). These widely recognized frameworks offer valuable guidelines, key indicators, and optimal practices for effectively reporting and disclosing ESG information to diverse audiences.

The Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) is offered by SASB. I've taken the Level 1 and it was doable but demanding. I'd recommend the FSA and more study materials from SASB as the demand increases.

I've also took the FSA credencial from SASB that now is part of IFRS. This credencial provides capacity building for ESG analysis using SASB metrics and provide an understanding of investors demands on sustainability financially material. IFRS is an important player on the regulatory field.

The ESG Investing Certification Programme offered by CFA Institute is highly recommended. Not only it cover an introduction to ESG Investing and the ESG Market, but the programme also digs deeper into each element of ESG including E, S and G factors. Finally, you will learn how to effectively carry out engagement and stewardship in the ESG market, together with ESG integration and portfolio construction. This is also a well-sought-after certification within the investment community.

There are many great courses out there, but a highly accessible, free resource I recommend is reading the guidance from all leading ESG standards, including the GRI, TCFD, and SASB. Not only will these give you tangible, real-life examples of how organizations are expected to report, but these alone can give you a well-rounded understanding of common disclosure topics based on sector, as well as perspective as to what data should be collected. Additionally, I would highly recommend searching for the sustainability reports of big company names, especially if they have made climate and sustainability commitments. You will likely find their disclosures in the appendices, which will help you connect the guidance material to the end result.

If you're more visually inclined, documentaries and TED Talks also offer rich insights into ESG. Documentaries like "Before the Flood," "An Inconvenient Truth," and "The True Cost" provide in-depth explorations of environmental and social issues. TED Talks by sustainability leaders, such as Johan Rockström and Christiana Figueres, offer concise yet powerful perspectives on climate change and sustainability. These visual and spoken-word resources can complement the information from books and podcasts, offering a diverse range of perspectives and information on ESG.

Delving into the realm of ESG through books and podcasts is an enlightening experience enriched by a plethora of resources. From seminal works like "This Changes Everything" by Naomi Klein to podcasts such as "The ESG Agenda," these platforms offer tangible examples and in-depth analyses that bring to life the multifaceted dimensions of sustainable business practices. Navigating through the pages or tuning into insightful conversations not only broadens one's understanding of ESG but also presents real-world case studies and success stories, making the complex principles accessible and actionable.

Incorporating ESG risk management into business practices serves several important purposes. Here are the suggestions for beginner who want to focus Risk Management - To address ESG risks and allows company to take proactive measures to avoid negative consequences such as reputational damage, financial losses, or regulatory challenges. Start by familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of ESG and understand the significance of environmental, social, and governance factors in business sustainability. Look for beginner-friendly articles, guides, or videos that provide overviews of ESG. Next, understand the specific risks and opportunities associated with your industry's impact on the environment, social issues, and governance practices.

ESG News covers a comprehensive picture of the ESG landscape around the world including the business world and how it plays out in daily life. Not only that, the site also publishes articles about ESG Investing and lists upcoming online/offline events which you can join (including COP events, events from Credit Rating Agencies, ESG data providers, etc.)

Engaging with ESG newsletters and blogs, such as "Morningstar ESG Investing" and Harvard Business Review's "Insights on Corporate Sustainability," is essential for staying informed about sustainable business practices. These platforms offer real-world examples, breaking down complex ESG concepts and providing timely updates on industry trends and regulatory changes. Subscribing to these sources empowers individuals to make informed decisions in a business landscape where ESG considerations are crucial, aligning values with impactful actions.

To have external partnerships to be informed and updated on the progress in the right time of legislations its a good tool to have a wider vision while doing the futures plans.

Ergänzung / Empfehlung im Bereich als deutschsprachiger Newsletter: Tagesspiegel Background Unterteilt nach verschiedenen Themen, z. B. Sustainable Finance. Verschafft einen guten Überblick, beinhaltet Presseschau, Analysen & Hintergründe, Nachrichten und Standpunkte.

Connecting with other ESG professionals is an opportunity to share ideas, learn, and can lead to collaboration opportunities. There are a wealth of ESG events, communities, networks, and organisations around the world, some of which are sector and region-specific. Here are a few suggestions for where you can source news, find events, and read reports related to ESG trends: - Global Compact - Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) - CDP - Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) - World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) - Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) - SASB - IFRS and ISSB

Engaging with fellow Sustainability and ESG experts opens doors to idea exchange, knowledge enrichment, and the potential for meaningful collaborations. There are numerous ESG events, communities, networks, and organizations, catering to specific sectors and regions. Some of the events from this (and upcoming years) are: 1. Future Food-Tech 2. Remade Circular Economy Tech Summit and Conference 3. Economist Impact Annual Sustainability Week 4. Responsible Business USA 5. EarthX 6. MIT Sustainability Summit 7. Sustainability Live 8. Climate Week NYC 9. Sustainable Brands Event 10. PSX Conference 11. Verge Conference

Participating in ESG communities and events, like the Global ESG Summit, is crucial for fostering collaboration and driving positive change in sustainable business practices. These platforms provide opportunities to share insights and success stories, contributing to a dynamic space dedicated to advancing ethical and responsible business practices.

By leveraging ESG tools, businesses can meet the growing demand from investors, customers, and other stakeholders for transparent and responsible corporate behaviour. A non-exhaustive list of tools: - Bloomberg ESG - Analysis and reporting using their vetted dataset - Refinitiv ESG (Contributor Tool) - verify and share timely ESG updates on projects - Sustainalytics - Analytical insights - MSCI ESG - Management of financially significant ESG risks and opps - SustainIQ - monitor and report on ESG metrics - TruValue Labs - AI to provide research, analysis and monitoring - CSRHub - Reporting of overall performance & impact - OneTrust - Risk management, policy and compliance processes - Diligent - ESG Data collection, benchmarking & reporting

It's important to understand the difference between ESG, Climate and Sustainability. GARP SCR ebook has a section that helps create that distinction. Having worked mainly in the Climate space, I would suggest doing a part-time or full-time course in Climate change taught from Social, political and economic perspective along with how it is applied in Corporates (for those who want to work with Corporates in this field).

Understanding U.N SDGs is key for ESG as both address sustainability. SDGs offer a broad framework, highlighting global challenges like climate action and equality, aiding in aligning ESG strategies. This alignment helps businesses in strategic decision-making, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, making their operations more sustainable and socially responsible. Knowledge of SDGs enhances the depth and effectiveness of ESG criteria application.