Foundations of ESG and Sustainable Finance for 2025 from Udemy

Welcome to Fundamentals of ESG and Sustainable Finance for 2024, the only course you need to learn the fundamentals of ESG and sustainable finance. My course is the HIGHEST RATED in ESG on Udemy.

10 modules, 4 lectures to each module, quiz at the end of each module, a FREE resource and/or slides included with every lecture: this is how you master ESG and sustainable finance.

This ESG and Sustainable Finance course is the most concise yet comprehensive course available anywhere online. Even if you have zero ESG knowledge, this course will take you from beginner to professional. Here's why:

The course is taught by the lead instructor and founder at Mason Academy, the specialist provider of sustainability education.
This course has been updated to be 2024 ready and you'll be learning the latest tools and techniques used by ESG and sustainable finance experts working at large companies like JPMorgan and Infosys.
This course doesn't cut any corners, each subject is tackled in detail by the engaging instructors with practical examples to bring the ideas to life.
The curriculum was developed over a period of 6 years, reflecting all major trends.
Many individuals working in ESG and sustainable finance have changed their lives by entering this field - join them.

We'll take you step-by-step through engaging video tutorials and teach you everything you need to know to succeed as a sustainability leader.

Throughout this comprehensive course we will answer a huge number of questions including:

What is ESG?
What are the most common E factors, including climate and nature?
What are the S factors?
What are the G factors and how are they different to both E and S factors?
Which is the most popular type of sustainable finance, and why?
How is sustainable banking and green mortgages different to traditional banking and mortgages?
What is greenwashing and how can we prevent it?
What is ESG integration?
What is negative screening?
What is 'additionality' in the context of impact investing?
What is investor stewardship?
How do investors influence company behaviour through proxy voting?
How can activist and institutional investors file shareholder resolutions - and are these supported by companies?
What are the most common types of sustainable finance regulation?
What is the transition, transition plans and transition finance?
What makes a Just Transition?
Why is nature important to ESG and sustainable finance?
What does TNFD stand for, and how can I use it?
How are ESG data and ratings created?
What are the different types of carbon markets? Who are the main actors in carbon markets?
Which are the most influential ESG verifiers and assurers, and how do they operate?

By the end of this course, you will be confident speaking about and working in ESG and sustainable finance, and you'll have such a strong foundational knowledge you can get a job in this field.

Don't just take my word for it, check out what existing students have to say about my course:

"It's been a really good introduction into a field that I am interested in. I like to manner of lecture, and how it breaks it up into digestible pieces, not one massive talk." - Stephen M H

"I think the course gave a great summary and introduction to some key concepts." - Pernilla B

"Great instructor. Held my attention well with clear succinct descriptions and examples." - Amrita G D

"Awesome course. " - Matheus B

"Amazing" - Subrat T

REMEMBER...I'm so confident that you'll love this course that we're offering a FULL money-back guarantee for 30 days. So it's a complete no-brainer, sign up today with ZERO risk and

So what are you waiting for? Click the buy now button and join Udemy's HIGHEST

What's inside

Learning objectives

Master the fundamentals of esg and how it is used in finance, by studying real-world examples.
Build in-depth knowledge of sustainable finance and how it differs from traditional finance
Specialise in sustainable investing strategies such as impact investing and investor stewardship.

Confidently navigate the landscape of esg reporting and disclosures.
Use the knowledge you have gained to get a job in esg or progress your esg career.

Master the fundamentals of esg and how it is used in finance, by studying real-world examples.
Build in-depth knowledge of sustainable finance and how it differs from traditional finance
Specialise in sustainable investing strategies such as impact investing and investor stewardship.
Confidently navigate the landscape of esg reporting and disclosures.
Use the knowledge you have gained to get a job in esg or progress your esg career.

Syllabus

Understand ESG and its place in financial services.

Overview

'E' Factors

'S' Factors

'G' Factors

What is ESG? Quiz

Understand sustainable finance and how it differs from traditional finance.

Understand different ESG reporting and reporting requirements.

Sustainable Investing

Sustainable Banking and Green Mortgages

Greenwashing

What is Sustainable Finance? Quiz

Understand in detail how sustainable investing works.

Sustainable ETFs

Impact Investing

Green Social and Sustainability (GSS) Bonds

Sustainable Investing Quiz

Understand how investor stewardship works - and its strengths and limitations.

Engagement

Proxy Voting

Shareholder Resolutions

Investor Stewardship Quiz

The Compliance Market

ISSB and CSRD

Sustainable Taxonomies

Sustainable Finance Regulation

ESG Reporting and Regulation Quiz

By the end of this module students will understand what the transition means in sustainable finance, including transition plans, transition finance, and the just transition.

Transition Plans

Transition Finance

The Just Transition

Transition quiz

By the end of the module students will understand the role of Nature factors within ESG and sustainable finance, including TNFD, nature-based solutions, and the concept of the planetary boundaries.

The Voluntary Market

TNFD

Nature Based Solutions

Planetary Boundaries

Nature quiz

By the end of the module students will understand the role of ESG data and ratings within sustainable finance, including what these are, who they are used with, and issues in the market.

What are ESG Data and Ratings?

Users of ESG Data and Ratings

Issues with ESG Data and Ratings

ESG Data and Ratings quiz

By the end of the module students will understand about carbon credits the two types of carbon markets in which they are traded.

Issues with Carbon Credits

Carbon credits and markets quiz

By the end of the module students will understand the role of ESG verifiers in sustainable finance, including the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and B Corp.

What is ESG Verification?

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

B Corp

Commercialising ESG Verification

ESG Verification and Assurance quiz

ESG in India

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers key concepts like ESG factors, sustainable investing, and reporting, which are essential for beginners in the field

Explores sustainable finance topics like green mortgages, GSS bonds and impact investing, which are increasingly relevant in the financial sector

Examines ESG data and ratings, carbon markets, and ESG verification, which are important for understanding the current landscape

Includes quizzes at the end of each module, which can help learners assess their understanding of the material

Discusses transition plans, transition finance, and the Just Transition, which are crucial for understanding the future of sustainable finance

Addresses topics like TNFD, nature-based solutions, and planetary boundaries, which highlights the growing importance of nature in ESG

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of ESG and Sustainable Finance for 2025 with these activities:

Review 'Sustainable Investing: A Path to a New Horizon'

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of sustainable investing strategies and their practical applications.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book's introduction and table of contents.
Focus on chapters related to impact investing and ESG integration.
Summarize key concepts and examples from each chapter.
Relate the book's content to the course modules on sustainable investing.

Review Basic Financial Concepts

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of fundamental financial concepts before diving into ESG-specific topics.

Browse courses on Financial Concepts

Show steps

Review basic accounting principles and financial statements.
Familiarize yourself with key financial ratios and metrics.
Understand the basics of investment analysis and portfolio management.

Write a Blog Post on Greenwashing

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of greenwashing by researching examples and writing a blog post explaining the concept and its implications.

Browse courses on Greenwashing

Show steps

Research examples of greenwashing in different industries.
Outline the key points you want to cover in your blog post.
Write a draft of your blog post, explaining greenwashing and providing examples.
Edit and revise your blog post for clarity and accuracy.
Publish your blog post on a platform like Medium or LinkedIn.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

ESG Integration Analysis Project

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of ESG integration by analyzing how a specific company incorporates ESG factors into its business strategy.

Browse courses on ESG Integration

Show steps

Choose a publicly traded company to analyze.
Research the company's ESG policies and practices.
Analyze the company's ESG performance using available data and ratings.
Write a report summarizing your findings and recommendations.

Discuss Sustainable Investing Strategies

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of sustainable investing by discussing different strategies with peers.

Browse courses on Sustainable Investing

Show steps

Form a study group with other students from the course.
Choose a specific sustainable investing strategy to discuss.
Share your understanding of the strategy and its implications.
Discuss real-world examples of the strategy in action.

Review 'The Economics of Sustainable Development'

Show steps

Gain a broader understanding of the economic principles underlying sustainable development.

View The Rise in Inequality After Pandemics: Can... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book's introduction and key chapters on economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Focus on sections related to externalities and market failures.
Summarize the key economic arguments for sustainable development.
Relate the book's content to the course modules on ESG and sustainable finance.

Create a Presentation on TNFD

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) by creating a presentation explaining its framework and implications.

Show steps

Research the TNFD framework and its recommendations.
Outline the key points you want to cover in your presentation.
Create visually appealing slides with clear and concise information.
Practice your presentation to ensure a smooth delivery.
Present your findings to a group of peers or colleagues.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of ESG and Sustainable Finance for 2025 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

ESG Reporting Specialist

An ESG reporting specialist focuses on collecting, analyzing, and communicating a company’s performance on environmental, social, and governance issues. They work to ensure compliance with sustainability reporting frameworks. This course helps an ESG reporting specialist with its focus on ESG reporting, regulations, and disclosures. The course's comprehensive exploration of the various reporting requirements and taxonomies will be valuable to those working in this field. The course covers the information needed to navigate the ESG reporting landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Reporting Specialist

ESG Consultant

An ESG consultant advises organizations on integrating environmental, social, and governance factors into their business strategies. This role requires a broad understanding of ESG principles and their financial implications. This course directly helps prepare an ESG consultant by providing a comprehensive overview of ESG, sustainable finance, and related topics. The course covers material that is directly applicable to the consultant's role, such as sustainable investing strategies, ESG integration, and an overview of sustainable finance regulations. The course’s practical examples will also be of value.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Consultant

Sustainable Finance Specialist

A sustainable finance specialist focuses on developing and implementing financial strategies that drive positive environmental and social outcomes. This involves understanding sustainable investment, green bonds, and other innovative financial instruments. This course helps build the bedrock knowledge for a sustainable finance specialist, by teaching the fundamentals of sustainable finance, impact investing, green bonds, and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The course's exploration of topics such as sustainable banking, green mortgages, and the different types of carbon markets is also directly applicable to the work of a sustainable finance specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Finance Specialist

Sustainability Analyst

A sustainability analyst studies, interprets, and communicates environmental, social, and governance data. This role often involves developing sustainability reports and recommendations. This course, with its focus on ESG factors, sustainable finance, and ESG reporting, helps build the skills necessary for a sustainability analyst to understand the complex landscape and contribute meaningfully to their organization's sustainability efforts. The course dives into topics that are particularly relevant to this role such as understanding ESG data and ratings, and navigating ESG reporting and disclosures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

ESG Data Analyst

An ESG data analyst collects, cleans, and analyzes environmental, social, and governance data. This role requires the understanding of ESG ratings and the issues associated with them. This course helps build necessary foundations for an ESG data analyst through its modules that cover ESG data and ratings. The course also discusses the uses of ESG data and ratings, and issues with ESG data and ratings, which is highly useful for those working in this capacity.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Data Analyst

Sustainability Manager

A sustainability manager leads sustainability initiatives within their organization, aligning operations with environmental and social goals. This role requires a deep understanding of ESG factors, sustainable finance, and reporting. This course helps a sustainability manager by providing a comprehensive overview of ESG, sustainable finance, and related topics. The course also provides training in areas such as sustainable investing, and sustainable banking, all relevant to the practice of a sustainability manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

ESG Investment Strategist

An ESG investment strategist develops investment strategies that incorporate environmental, social, and governance factors for financial portfolios. This role requires a strong understanding of sustainable investing and ESG integration. This course helps an ESG investment strategist by providing a thorough overview of sustainable investing and various sustainable investing strategies. The course’s modules on impact investing and investor stewardship are directly applicable to the role of an investment strategist working in the ESG field.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Investment Strategist

ESG Verification Specialist

An ESG verification specialist assesses an organization's ESG performance and reporting against recognized standards and frameworks. This role requires a strong understanding of verification processes and various ESG standards. This course helps an ESG verification specialist by providing training in ESG verification, the Science Based Targets initiative, and B Corp. The course’s overview of how ESG verifiers operate is critical to excelling in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Verification Specialist

Sustainable Banking Officer

A sustainable banking officer develops and promotes financial products and services that support environmental and social goals. This role requires a deep knowledge of sustainable finance and green banking practices. This course helps a sustainable banking officer with its deep dive into sustainable finance, sustainable banking, and green mortgages. The course’s discussion of both traditional and sustainable finance is particularly relevant for those working to change traditional banking practices from within.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Banking Officer

Carbon Markets Analyst

A carbon markets analyst studies the trading of carbon credits and helps organizations navigate carbon markets. This role requires an understanding of the mechanics of carbon markets, and the various types of carbon credits. This course helps a carbon markets analyst through its exploration of the two types of carbon markets and the issues that arise with carbon credits. The course's focus on real-world examples makes it especially useful for someone entering this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carbon Markets Analyst

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A corporate social responsibility manager develops and implements strategies that align a company’s operations with its social and environmental responsibilities. A strong understanding of ESG principles is essential for this role. This course helps a corporate social responsibility manager, given its exploration of ESG factors, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. The course also delves into topics such as the just transition, nature-based solutions and planetary boundaries, all relevant to the manager's role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Impact Investment Analyst

An impact investment analyst evaluates investment opportunities based on their potential to generate positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. This role requires knowledge of sustainable investing strategies and impact measurement. This course may be helpful for an impact investment analyst, given its coverage of impact investing, investor stewardship, and the additionality of impact investments. The course provides a solid overview of the field and provides practical knowledge that would be useful to professionals entering this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Impact Investment Analyst

Climate Change Analyst

A climate change analyst focuses on studying the impacts of climate change on organizations and developing strategies to mitigate risks. Though this role relies on scientific knowledge, the financial aspects of climate change are also of concern. This course may be helpful for an climate change analyst due to its module on carbon markets, and discussion on transition plans, and transition finance. The course’s overview of ESG and how it is used in finance is valuable for anyone seeking to enter this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Analyst

Environmental Analyst

An environmental analyst studies the environmental impact of business operations and develops strategies to mitigate negative effects. Though this role requires scientific understanding, it also benefits from the practical financial and policy-oriented knowledge that this course provides through its discussion of ESG factors, sustainable finance, and carbon markets. The course’s modules that cover nature-based solutions and planetary boundaries are particularly useful for an environmental analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Analyst

Shareholder Engagement Specialist

A shareholder engagement specialist works to facilitate communication and collaboration between companies and their shareholders, especially on environmental, social, and governance matters. This role often requires knowledge of investor stewardship, proxy voting, and shareholder resolutions. This course may be useful for a shareholder engagement specialist, given its coverage of investor stewardship, proxy voting, and shareholder resolutions. The course offers a strong foundation for those looking to begin a career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Shareholder Engagement Specialist

Foundations of ESG and Sustainable Finance for 2025

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