ESG adoption is often predicated on either the push of investors or the pull of customers. A growing number of investors, both institutional and private, and in developed and emerging markets alike, look at ESG risks as a testing ground for their portfolio companies. The ones that perform well on ESG are well-positioned for the future and have better chances of adapting their products and services to a global consumer base that is increasingly demanding environmental protection, respect for human rights and corporate transparency. The number of financial institutions that integrate ESG in their decision-making processes is on the rise globally, and it is expected to increase in a post-Covid economy as studies have shown that companies with high ESG ratings held up better than their competitors during the crisis.

In some cases, ESG reporting is being mandated. For example, the Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD) comes into effect for large public-interest companies in Europe from 1 January 2024. We can expect to see more examples of this type of legislation over the coming years.

In this course, we will begin with the baseline of ESG relevance and rising ubiquity in common investment and company discourse. We will review the rise of ESG amongst private and public sector entities and explore its relevance to various industries. We will discuss the principle of materiality and practise applying materiality assessments using several common ESG frameworks.

We will explore case studies, workshop concepts, and ensure participants walk away with practical tools and insights to use in their own ESG reporting and compliance work. We will review the ways in which ESG not only mitigates risk but adds value to an underlying asset.

Finally, we will take course participants through the process of ESG reporting to workshop stages of the process, data collection principles, narrative development, telling a holistic story, and the final stage of ESG report assurance.

- Describe ESG challenges and explain how ESG reporting contributes to sustainable human development
- Explain the motivators for company adoption of ESG reporting
- Draft a compelling narrative related to a company’s ESG performance
- List and explain the types of ESG data required to address ‘E’, ‘S’, and ‘G’ disclosures
- Implement the process for identifying an organization’s impacts and determining material topics
- Determine the ESG exposure of an organization and how to position responsive ESG programs
- Explain how ESG adds value to an underlying asset
- Navigate and interpret the most common voluntary ESG reporting frameworks (e.g. ISSB, TCFD, GRI)
- Explain the mandatory ESG reporting for listed companies in Europe (CSRD & ESRS)
- Explain how to leverage ESG performance to raise capital

Group live instruction and illustrative examples
Review & interpretation of ESG information to illustrate key points
Practical workshop exercises using realistic scenarios, case studies, examples of best practice and the models you can use back in the workplace
Interactive participation will be encouraged
At VantagePoint, we have a policy to avoid unnecessary printing. All course materials will be provided in soft copy. The only printed materials will be those necessary for exercises in class.

ESG and why it is important
Global developments regarding ESG
ESG Strategy vs ESG Tactics
Materiality
Voluntary ESG reporting frameworks
Accounting for climate change
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)
ESG Data, Accounting, and Information Management
Data collection principles
ESG report assurance
The ESG arbitrage effect
ESG Throughout the Investment Lifecycle
ESG risk mitigation & value creation
Telling a compelling and honest ESG story
The power and value of narrative in ESG reporting

Nick Auer

Nick Auer is a qualified accountant and a learning and development practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in the public and private sectors. He designs and delivers bespoke training programmes and has significant experience in financial reporting, financial management, commercial awareness, value for money and performance improvement.

Nick works with clients to implement training strategies, analyse training needs and evaluate training. Nick has designed and delivered many financial reporting programmes including a variety of open and client specific IFRS, IPSAS, UK GAAP, US GAAP and ESG courses. These range from basic to advanced and look at areas like Property Plant & Equipment, Intangible Assets, Employee Benefits, Leases, Financial Instruments, Provisions, Revenue Recognition, Business Combinations and Group Accounting. Nick also delivers a whole range of other financial and commercial training including business partnering, budgeting, in-year management, cost control, investment appraisal, procurement and contract management.

Nick’s soft skills work includes helping delegates to get a better understanding of personality preferences, with the intention of using this understanding to improve their influencing, presentation, communication and consulting skills. His programmes also include analytical and problem solving skills, whilst helping Clients to improve the effectiveness of their teams so that Clients end up making better business decisions.

Nick has recently delivered programmes on ESG including the basics of ESG financial reporting requirements in UK, Europe and the US, the various reporting frameworks that can be used eg GRI, TCFD, Integrated Reporting, and how to apply ESG related tools including SDG indicators, materiality matrix and carbon accounting.

Nick has done a lot of work in both the private sector and UK public sector including the Ministry of Defence, Health Trusts e.g. Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospital, Local Authorities, the Home Office and the UK Border Agency. He has also worked with Clients across many sectors in the private sector including Oil, Technology, Retail, Financial Services, Renewables, Defence, Construction and IT.

Nick is a practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and is the Finance Director of a small UK training consultancy.

ESG comprehensive workshop

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Nick Auer will be your instructor on this course.

Nick Auer

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