ESG Designation Program
Learn to navigate the increasingly complex business landscape of corporate ESG governance through 12 sessions with our faculty of leading ESG experts
“Over 80% of boards anticipate an increase in sustainability initiatives investments in the next two years”
– Gartner 2023 Boards of Directors Survey
Program Details
12 Sessions
1.5 hours per session
FACULTY OF WORLD-RENOWNED EXPERTS
LIVE BI-WEEKLY INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS
DESIGNATION, CERTIFICATE AND CREDLY™ BADGE
global networking opportunities
CURATED TOOLBOX FOR EACH SESSION
USD $5,495
Who should take this course
This program is ideal for board directors, investors, and senior business leaders who are looking to improve their ESG competency.
We have programs suited to different time zones to fit your needs.
Who should take this course
This program is ideal for board directors, investors, and senior business leaders who are looking to improve their ESG competency.
We have programs suited to different time zones to fit your needs.
Program Details
12 Sessions
1.5 hours per session
FACULTY OF WORLD-RENOWNED EXPERTS
LIVE BI-WEEKLY INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS
global networking opportunities
Certificate
USD $5,495
Toolbox with curated insight for each session
Transform 24 weeks of ESG knowledge into long-term, successful, and sustainable business practices
- Get ESG education designed specially for board members and executives
- Upgrade your ESG competencies and prepare yourself for future C-suite and board positions with the knowledge that investors, nomination committees, and recruiters are looking for
- Challenge yourself and elevate your ESG awareness through our toolbox of self-reflecting questions, readings, case studies, and mind-opening recordings of leading ESG experts
- Live access to our faculty of world leading experts who are at the forefront of international ESG best practice
- Learn how to better respond to new enterprise risk, business complexity, technological disruptions, and get up to speed on global trends, obligations, and standards
- Get equipped to effectively participate in discussions around the fast-evolving, international ESG landscape and enhance important ESG competencies essential to be a future-fit leader
- Connect with peers to discuss pressing challenges and build a global network
- Finish your program with our famous boardroom simulation, giving you an opportunity to showcase your learnings in front of a live panel of ESG experts
"The ESG Competent Boards initiative has been ahead of its time. COVID-19 has created the existential threats for boards that many members had seemed to regard as unthinkable. That is why ESG Competent Boards is rightly having its moment. Its programme is a must for opening board eyes and minds to the new, unthinkable and existential realities we all confront."
Nik GowingFounder, Director, Co-Author ‘thinking the Unthinkable’; Main Presenter, BBC World News 1996-2014 
"This was an incredible program with outstanding faculty and a fabulous and diverse network of peers – a global experience indeed. Thank you Competent Boards for a remarkable experience!"
Hillary ThatcherSenior Director, Indigenous and Northern Infrastructure, Canada Infrastructure Bank 
"The permanent value I have derived is so immense, that anyone acceding to my recommendation to take this course is likely to be grateful!"
Shailesh HaribhaktiChairman, Blue Star LTD, Larsen & Toubro Financial Holdings LTD, NSDL E-Governance Infrastructure Co of India LTD 
"I found the interactive sessions to be hugely beneficial and the speakers thought-provoking and knowledgeable. The course will certainly help me engage in more critical thinking as a board member."
Shameela SoobramoneyChief Sustainability Officer 
"The ESG course exceeded my expectations in all regards - the caliber of faculty, the relevance and currency of topics, the professionalism of CB staff, and of course the takeaways that are immediately applicable to my job and future aspirations."
Cheryl BrownleeStrategic Advisor, Sustainability and External Relations, Newmont Canada 
"An amazing opportunity to hear directly from, and interact with, truly international experts on critical ESG topic areas. It's also a fantastic opportunity to work with and learn from global peers."
Carlton MathiasVice President Law, ESG and Corporate Secretary, Ontario Power Generation Inc. 
"Excellent program with a practical view, very experienced leaders sharing their experience on critical issues across a range of E, S and G areas."
Venkataramanan AnantharamanIndependent Director, IHCL, Axis AMC, Ecom Express 
"In my current role as an investor, the designation program further enabled me to integrate and elevate my expertise and skill set to successfully engage with board directors and senior executives on climate and sustainability issues."
Anne-Marie GagnonManager, ESG, Public Markets, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) 
"It was only until participating in the program that I was able to understand the true impact of sustainability and its 3 axes. Being aware of that from my position in the company, in my community, in my family, I can do many things to make this a better world for everyone."
Catherine PachecoLegal Manager, Lima Airport Partners 
"I really enjoyed the program - insightful, current issues, great speakers, excellent materials, and a fantastic networking opportunity."
Luiz Gabriel Todt de AzevedoESG Division Chief, IDB Invest 
Get the knowledge that investors, recruiters, and nomination committees
are looking for
- Climate change
- Human rights
- Supply chain
- Cybersecurity
- Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
- Regulatory requirements
- Disclosures
- Taxation
- Executive pay
- Anti-corruption
- Stakeholder engagement
- Geo-political issues
What You Will Earn
From This Program
- The GCB.D designation
- A Certificate
- A Credly™ digital credential
Upcoming Program cohorts – Americas/EMEA Region
Business Leader cohorts
9:30AM ET (GMT -5)
For executives, investors, and board advisors
Board Member cohorts
9:30AM ET (GMT -5)
For non-executive directors, independent directors, and executive directors
Upcoming Program cohorts – APAC Region
Business Leader cohorts
8:00AM HKT / 9:00AM JST / 5:00PM PT
For senior executives, investors, and board advisors
Board Member cohorts
8:00AM HKT / 9:00AM JST / 5:00PM PT
For non-executive directors, independent directors, and executive directors
Meet a range of world-renowned ESG experts through enlightening recorded sessions and interactive live sessions. Our 180+ faculty includes:
Meet a range of world-renowned ESG experts through enlightening recorded sessions and interactive live sessions. Our 180+ faculty includes:
Session Topics
1. Understanding New Geopolitical Risks and Expectations for Companies
- Discuss how major global events, such as climate change, the war in Ukraine and ongoing pandemics, are changing stakeholders’ expectations of companies
- Understand how business trends, such as the “Great Resignation”, the use of data and social justice are shaping the future of work
- Look at organisational purpose and how to ensure it adds value
- Study the tidal wave of guidelines, regulations and ESG reporting frameworks that are impacting the ability of businesses to operate
- Examine new business models such as stakeholder capitalism, the circular economy, regenerative and net-positive businesses, and the 5th industrial revolution
- Understand how asset managers, hedge funds, high-wealth individuals and proxy advisors are impacting boards of directors and board agendas
- Study the fast-evolving views and understandings of fiduciary duty across regions
- Explore the role of board committees in embedding ESG in business strategy
2. Dealing with Dilemmas: Turning Business Risks Into Opportunities
- The latest science: Understanding planetary and societal boundaries and going beyond carbon management
- Why preventing further biodiversity loss is essential to tackling climate change
- The projected physical impacts of climate change on companies, their supply chains, employees, and the customers and society they serve
- How transitional risks will determine future market competitiveness in a low-carbon economy
- Changes in stakeholder expectations and demands for climate and nature-conscious innovation
- Seizing opportunities associated with climate-change adaptation, mitigation and the global transition to net zero and regenerative business models
3. How to Use the UN Sustainable Development Goals Strategically
- Learn about the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how regulatory trends and government incentives affect them in different parts of the world
- Understand how companies and investors are embracing the SDGs and using them for innovation and investment
- Explore the use of the SDGs as a common language to communicate with stakeholders
- Examine how to use the SDGs framework as a strategic tool to understand your company’s biggest pain points to determine risks and new opportunities
- Examine the link between the SDGs and ESG, as well as a company’s purpose and licence to operate and grow
- Discover how global events and megatrends have prioritised and accelerated the implementation of SDGs by businesses and governments
4. Learning the Impacts of Climate Change and a Board’s Accountability
- Take a closer look at why and how climate change impacts the global economic and socio-economic outlook
- Learn how climate change affects businesses, supply chains, customers, employees and society
- Assess short-, medium- and long-term transitional, regulatory, insurance and political risks
- Discover how to seize opportunities within renewable energy, carbon markets and a just transition
- Discuss the concept of net zero and using science-based goals around emissions, such as Scope 1, 2, 3 and 4 commitments, actions and reporting
- Examine the growing expectations for asset managers, proxy advisors and investors around initiatives such as Climate Action 100+ and the UN Principles for Responsible Investment
- Learn how companies, investors, insurance companies and regulators are responding to growing demands for climate action
- Understand scenario analysis and disclosure expectations, as well as adaptation, mitigation, and transition strategies
5. How to Build ESG Oversight and Foresight
- Learn about the growing expectations for disclosure around ESG topics and how companies are best responding to those demands
- Look at what investors are asking for and why does that matter
- Get under the skin of ESG in businesses to see the difference between greenwashing and successful corporate sustainability
- Uncover how ESG disclosure issues are leading to securities class actions and civil litigation
- Understand ESG ratings, rankings, indices and integration frameworks, as well as materiality risk and opportunity assessments
- Discover why financial materiality assessments are integral for companies to embed ESG in strategy and board oversight
- Anticipate future trends and new requirements, while learning how to integrate emerging risks into enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks
- Scrutinise oversight, accountability and the role of the board committees
6. Understanding Human Rights and Environmental Issues in Supply Chains
- Learn about the impact of environmental and social disasters on supply chains, and how to identify, assess and manage important risks
- Examine whether child labour, forced labour, modern slavery or other human-rights issues exist in your business supply chain
- Understand the impact of your products on the natural world, such as water scarcity, air pollution and deforestation
- Come to grips with compliance, looking at existing and emerging regulations as well as how to disclose support for major international norms and soft law initiatives
- Understand how to create mutually beneficial long-term relationships with suppliers
- Learn how to avoid supply shortages and reputational setbacks, plus align procurement with incentives
7. Creating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Wellness in the Boardroom and Beyond
- Define the expectations from investors, proxy advisors, and society to encourage diversity in the workplace
- Learn how to foster a pipeline of diverse talent into and through your company and achieve diversity of thought
- Understand the full spectrum and business value of diversity, as well as the regulations around it
- Learn how to address employee misconduct and workplace culture issues
- Identify the many forms of diversity — including culture, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender, disability, socioeconomic background and lived experiences — and the value they bring
- Address the power of data, the barriers to progress and best practices for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace
- Understand the importance of mental health and wellness at work
- Examine the relevant laws and regulations for DEI in a business, looking at board composition and structure, oversight, accountability and the role of the board nomination committee
- Learn performance evaluation methods, incentives, and accountability
8. Gaining Trust: Anti-Corruption, Integrity and Transparency Best Practices
- Learn the changing risks and expectations associated with anti-corruption, integrity, ethical practices and transparency
- Understand the steps companies can take to reduce fraud and corruption at work, including facilitation payments
- Examine public and self-disclosure, including the importance of company reputation matter in decision-making
- Understand how to manage and oversee investigations
- Learn how to anticipate new forms of corruption, such as cybercrime and dark money, as well as the misuse of private and public goods
- See how to build public trust, relations and reputation
- Navigate the political involvement of companies and businesses
- Develop questions to ask management to test the robustness and effectiveness of its anti-corruption approach
9. Understanding Responsible Use of Data, Cybersecurity and Digitalization
- Learn the business impact of the digital revolution, including the hybrid workplace, big data and AI-generated opportunities
- Examine the ethical use of data, including collection, stakeholder privacy concerns and managing confidential information as part of a company’s cybersecurity strategy
- Consider the balance between increased organisational and personal data protection against using data for good
- Understand how cyber risks can affect whether stakeholders view a company as acting responsibly
- Learn about business continuity through disaster containment and recovery in the face of cyber-attacks
- Examine antitrust laws and stakeholder expectations, including how to manage online propaganda and “fake news”
- Understand how cybersecurity ties into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
10. Addressing Tax, Investment and Pay in an ESG-Focused World
- Learn the latest global trends in taxation, investments and pay policies that will help drive ESG best practices at your business
- Uncover when tax optimization is no longer carried out in a responsible manner
- Understand the cost of ownership in a volatile world, looking at the dilemmas you face when making long-term investments
- Learn what information you need to make well-informed capital investment and capital expenditure (CapEx) decisions
- Uncover how to incentivize leadership for ESG in the short, medium and long term
- Examine the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tax, investment and pay strategies, including income inequality
- Look to the future changes in global tax policies that will drive ESG investments
11. Maximising Shareholder and Stakeholder Engagement Around Disclosures
- Learn and manage the material issues that you need to communicate to your shareholders and stakeholders.
- Uncover how to deal with the rise of shareholder activism, including best practices in engagement strategies before and after the proxy season
- Examine common standards and frameworks, such as the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and Task Force for Climate-related Disclosures (TCFD)
- Study regulations and requirements, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Dodd-Frank Act, human capital accounting and stock exchange requirements
- Look at future trends in reporting
12. Becoming a Steward of the Future: Best Practices in Corporate Governance
- Learn what good governance means now, and how that will evolve in the future
- Recap the previous 11 modules and see how that knowledge impacts the future of governance at your company
- Get ready for the evolving role of the board, executives, shareholders and other stakeholders
- Learn what it means to be a steward of the future — including having good judgement, courage and asking meaningful questions