ESG Fundamentals for Business Professionals

What you'll learn
Explain the ESG framework and the Environmental, Social and Governance pillars in a business context
Analyse why ESG has become essential for investors, regulators and companies globally
Identify material ESG issues and how companies prioritise them for decision-making and reporting
Interpret ESG data, ratings and reporting frameworks used in modern business and investment
Assess climate risk, emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3) and key environmental challenges affecting companies
Differentiate ESG from CSR and sustainability in professional and strategic contexts
Requirements
No prior knowledge of ESG, sustainability, or finance is required
Basic understanding of business concepts is helpful but not necessary
Willingness to think critically about business, risk, and long-term value
Interest in how companies operate within environmental and social systems
Description
This course contains the use of artificial intelligence. This course provides a clear, structured introduction to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and how it is reshaping modern business decision-making.
If you have been hearing about ESG but want to understand what it actually means in practice, this course takes you from first principles to a confident, working understanding of the framework. You will learn how ESG goes beyond buzzwords and functions as a practical lens for evaluating business risk, performance, and long-term value.
The course begins by explaining what ESG is, where it came from, and how it differs from related concepts such as CSR and sustainability. You will then explore each of the three pillars-Environmental, Social, and Governance-in detail, including key issues such as climate risk, emissions, workforce practices, and corporate oversight.
As the course progresses, you will understand why ESG has become a mainstream requirement for companies, driven by investors, regulators, and stakeholders. You will also learn the concept of materiality, which determines how companies prioritise ESG issues, and gain insight into major reporting frameworks and ESG ratings.
Throughout the course, concepts are consistently connected to real-world business context, helping you understand not just what ESG is, but how it influences decisions across finance, strategy, risk, and operations.
By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundation in ESG and the confidence to engage in professional conversations, assess ESG-related risks, and understand how organisations create long-term value in a changing business environment.
Who this course is for
Business professionals who want to understand ESG and how it impacts decision-making, risk, and strategy
Professionals in finance, strategy, risk, legal, HR, or operations engaging with ESG topics
Students and career changers seeking a clear foundation in ESG concepts and frameworks
Anyone hearing about ESG and wanting a structured, practical understanding without prior experience