ESG Reporting for Listed Companies

Course Introduction

ESG Reporting for Listed Companies is an online training course for public listed corporations looking to learn how to develop an effective corporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. The course begins by explaining what sustainable and responsible investing means for companies and investors, and the increasing focus on reporting and accountability. It goes on to examine how a corporation can identify what ESG factors matter most and how it can best develop a sustainability/ ESG strategy. It also looks at how ESG ratings are being used by today’s fund and portfolio managers to make investment decisions. Attendees will also learn the best methods of communicating the policy and results of a company strategy to investors, shareholders, analysts and the media.

Who should attend: Investor relations, compliance personnel, finance officers, risk officers, human resources, corporate reporting, corporate affairs, corporate treasurers, board members and board committee members, and executive team members.

Schedule: The course takes place over the following days, comprising three hours teaching on each day from 08:30 to 11:45 (UK time).

Wednesday, 10 May 2023
Monday, 15 May 2023
Wednesday, 17 May 2023
Monday, 22 May 2023

Please note all sessions are recorded so any that cannot be attended can be taken at a later time

Course Details
Course Outline

Day 1

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and organisational transformation

  • How companies are approaching the SDGs
  • What drives corporate transformation
  • What is the difference between a ‘sustainability’ versus ‘sustainable development’ focus

Introduction to ESG, Responsible Investing, Sustainability and Sustainable Development

  • Why they are important and what they mean
  • What is E, S and G?
  • Why it matters to investors
  • Investor approaches to the SDGs

Why Sustainability Reporting?

  • Developments in the reporting landscape
  • Investor versus broader stakeholder focus
  • Materiality
  • GRI Standards

Assignment

  • Introduction to assignment for Day 2: Reviewing a sustainability report

Day 2

Sustainability Reporting

  • The development of sustainability reporting – from voluntary to mandatory. But why?
  • Investor versus broader stakeholder focus
  • Developments in the reporting landscape
  • GRI Standards
  • Materiality

Regulatory Developments Related to Corporate Sustainability Reporting

  • Introduction to regulatory developments: national and international
  • What to expect in the future

Assignments

  • Assignment review and discussion: Reviewing a sustainability report
  • Introduction to assignment for Day 3: ESG data and investors

Day 3:

ESG Ratings

  • How they are calculated
  • How investors use them in their decision making
  • Will there be an industry standard
  • What makes a good rating
  • What investors look for
  • ESG Ratings and Share Price Performance

How Investors Use ESG Data, Transition Finance and the Role for the Financial Markets 

  • ESG integration
  • Screening: Negative, positive, best in class, impact
  • Companies that investors avoid
  • Industry and sector differences

Assignments

  • Assignment review and discussion: ESG data and investors
  • Introduction to assignment for Day 4: TCFD and scenario analysis

Day 4

Climate Risk Reporting and Scenario Analysis: A Learning Process

  • Climate change and emissions reporting
  • The Greenhouse Gas Protocol
  • TCFD – an important private initiative in the new sustainable finance landscape
  • Climate risk reporting and scenario analysis
  • ISSB and international developments on climate change reporting

Assignments

  • Assignment review and discussion: TCFD and scenario analysis

Communication

  • Investor relations
  • Head of Sustainability & ESG officers
  • Challenges and future directions