Overview

Learners studying this certificate will gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability concepts, including its definition, significance to society and organisations, and the challenges businesses face in fostering sustainable development.

 

They will explore the concept of sustainable business models, linking sustainability to strategy, governance, and risk management, while also understanding the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors and their importance to stakeholders. The course will also cover global sustainability reporting frameworks like the UNSDGs, GRI, and ISSB, explaining how these frameworks guide businesses in aligning with sustainability goals.

Additionally, learners will explore the critical role of governance and finance professionals in supporting sustainable development and how the evolving nature of sustainability and regulatory frameworks demands adaptability. Ethical considerations will be a core focus, examining the importance of ethics in organisations, potential threats to ethical principles such as greenwashing, and how professionals can mitigate these threats. Learners will also evaluate the ethical responsibilities of sustainability professionals, applying ethical guidance to maintain integrity in their roles and promoting ethical behaviour in their practices.

Syllabus:

1. Sustainability overview

  • Define sustainability and sustainable development.
  • Explain the importance of sustainability to society and organisations.
  • Describe the global challenges of sustainable development and how businesses can respond to these challenges.
  • Explain the concept of a sustainable business model and its links to strategy, governance and risk management.
  • Define the terms E, S and G; and

(a)  discuss their interdependency; and

(ii) discuss how the information is relevant to stakeholders.

2. Frameworks and global differences

  • Outline and explain the need for sustainability reporting frameworks.
  • Explain the UNSDGs, as an example of a sustainability reporting framework and its significance for organisations.
  • Explain the various frameworks, guidance and regulatory bodies and appreciate the interaction between them:

(i) Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

(ii) Integrated Reporting (IR)

(iii) International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

(iv) Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

(v) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)

(vi) European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)

(vii) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

(viii) Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)

(ix) UK regulations.

  • Explain the concept and application of materiality and double materiality in a sustainability context.

3.   Roles and responsibilities in relation to sustainability matters

  • Explain the crucial role of those charged with governance and the finance professional in supporting sustainable development.
  • Explain how the competencies of finance professionals are critical to their role in sustainability.
  • Explain the rapid pace of change of sustainability and regulatory frameworks and the need for adaptability.

4.  Ethical behaviour for organisations

  • Identify and explain the importance of ethics and ethical behaviour for the organisation, considering different approaches to ethics.
  • Evaluate threats to ethical principles in relation to sustainability.
  • Recommend relevant actions and safeguards to mitigate threats to ethical principles.
  • Evaluate examples of unethical company behaviour, for example ‘greenwashing’ and ‘greenhushing’.

5.  Ethical behaviours for professionals

  • Explain the importance of following ethical principles for a sustainability professional.
  • Apply ethical guidance for the sustainability professional.
  • Evaluate threats to the ethical principles of a sustainability professional.
  • Recommend relevant actions and safeguards sustainability professionals should take to mitigate threats to ethical principles.