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ESG Data & Accountability

Steven Levine

In this course, we’ll introduce students with basic knowledge of traditional financial products to data-driven resources they can use to complement their fundamental analysis. We’ll also highlight certain deceptive marketing practices that can paint a rosier picture of addressing ESG-related concerns than may actually be the case.

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In this course, we’ll introduce students with basic knowledge of traditional financial products to data-driven resources they can use to complement their fundamental analysis. We’ll also highlight certain deceptive marketing practices that can paint a rosier picture of addressing ESG-related concerns than may actually be the case.

Moreover, many corporations appear to be growing increasingly aware of the values of the millennial generation, who, according to some industry surveys, appear to account for the vast majority of those who cite ESG as a central goal in their investment plans.

We’ll dive more deeply into these topics, and through a series of video, webinar, and reading modules, among other objectives, you’ll learn to explain how Big Data and artificial intelligence may be used for actionable accountability, and describe inherent challenges in data analysis, as well as differentiate between different forms of deceptive business practices, including green washing, social washing, and pink washing, You’ll also be able to provide insights about how millennial, and younger, investors’ interests may be driving increased attention on ESG investing.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Using Advanced Technology for Further Analysis
As conducting fundamental analysis on ESG-related issues can be quite a daunting task – especially given the massive amounts of variables that may be considered relevant – many companies and organizations have been working to establish more advanced, technological tools and scoring systems to aid in the effort. For example, certain companies, including Refinitiv, Morningstar’s Sustainalytics, FactSet-owned Truvalue Labs, and MSCI, among others, may employ artificial intelligence, with machine learning, natural language processing (NLP) and sentiment analysis algorithms to help arrive at data that may assist in ESG investing analysis. In this module, we will take a broad look at the landscape of how Big Data and certain impact tools can help guide you through making investments in the ESG space.
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Exploring Investment Sentiment Signals: Industry Insights from Sentifi (Parts 1-3)
In the following webinar, “Making Informed Investment Decisions with Alternative Data “, you’ll learn how less traditional financial sources – namely investment signals from social media, news, and blogs increasingly offer meaningful insights on market momentum shifts as they occur. Among other features in this presentation, Marina Goche, chief executive officer at alternative data provider Sentifi, evaluates what constitutes “good data” for investment decision-making, how alternative data stacks up, and key considerations in selecting alternative data sources to make informed investment decisions. Goche also walks through certain characteristics of alternative data quality such as reliability, granularity, timeliness, and actionability, and how these may be used to inform investors’ buy, sell, and hold decisions.
Exploring Investment Sentiment Signals: Industry Insights from Sentifi (Parts 4-6)
The “Making Informed Investment Decisions with Alternative Data” webinar continues with Marina Goche, CEO of Sentifi, illustrating how alternative data may close the timeliness gap with traditional data sets, how investment sentiment signals from ESG events may impact asset valuations, such as a company’s stock price, and explores how investors may rebalance a portfolio using investment sentiment signals based on ESG events.
Exploring Investment Sentiment Signals: Industry Insights from Sentifi (Parts 7-8)
The “Making Informed Investment Decisions with Alternative Data” webinar continues with Marina Goche, CEO of Sentifi, fielding participants’ questions about investment sentiment signals, such as corruption, provides details about how machine learning models can help determine source credibility, and addresses how alternative data may be considered “actionable” when making investment decisions and rebalancing a portfolio. Goche also highlights certain technology features designed to handle Sentifi’s massive volume of alternative data sets.
Big Data & Accountability: Industry Insights - Panel Discussion (Parts 1-3)
In the webinar, “ESG Investing: How Big Data Helps Drive Financial Decisions”, panelists from Refinitiv, FactSet-owned Truvalue Labs, Quantum Research Group, and IBKR provide their insights into a wide range of topics, including finding the right balance between technology and human analysis, as well as how much weight to assign to each of the E-S-G factors in terms of materiality. They also offer, among other commentary, how ESG investing and Big Data may evolve over the next 5 to 10 years.
Big Data & Accountability: Industry Insights - Panel Discussion (Parts 4-6)
The “ESG Investing: How Big Data Helps Drive Financial Decisions” webinar continues with panelists addressing the challenge of subjectivity when assessing financial materiality in ESG, how the mentality of the financial market has shifted towards ESG, sustainability and impact, and how ESG factors can connect with investors’ personal values when making investment decisions.
Big Data & Accountability: Industry Insights - Panel Discussion (Parts 7-8)
The “ESG Investing: How Big Data Helps Drive Financial Decisions” webinar continues with panelists providing their outlook on how ESG investing may evolve over the next 5-10 years, as well as addresses participants’ questions about how Big Data interprets ESG factors, and how ESG data can be used to make more informed investment decisions. Following the webinar, we will also walk-through different forms of deceptive business practices, including green washing, social washing, blue washing, and pink washing, and how companies have historically sought to sidestep controversies, and their associated, potential adverse financial impacts. You’ll learn what forces can help cajole these companies from being held accountable, as well as how regulatory reform may play a key role in eliminating these practices. After completing the videos and webinars in this module, you should be able to discuss, among other topics, how, despite the proliferation of ESG investing-related marketing, products, research, data-driven tools, and inflows into funds, the discipline itself remains subject to a host of unresolved issues, and how conducting due diligence when integrating ESG factors into your financial and credit analyses may ensure whether your investments will be truly aligned with your values.
Reading Reinforcements
This Reading Reinforcements module explores more in-depth details about data collection, ESG scores, and how artificial intelligence can aid ESG investing practices, as well as specific examples of green washing activity. After completing the lessons that follow, you should be able to draw conclusions about how Big Data and artificial intelligence can aid in ESG investing analysis, as well as provide insights into historical, and more recent, forms of deceptive business practices.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for those with background in traditional financial products
Helps you understand how ESG-related issues can be analyzed using data-driven resources
Provides insights into deceptive marketing practices related to ESG
Discusses how millennials' values are influencing ESG investing
Course requires knowledge of traditional financial analysis

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for ESG Data & Accountability. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete ESG Data & Accountability will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Chief Sustainability Officer
The Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is responsible for overseeing a company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for CSOs who want to stay up-to-date on the latest ESG trends and best practices.
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability Analysts are responsible for evaluating a company's ESG performance and providing recommendations on how to improve it. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a strong foundation in ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Sustainability Analysts who want to develop their skills in ESG analysis.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants provide advice to businesses and organizations on how to reduce their environmental impact. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Environmental Consultants who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to promote environmental sustainability.
Social Responsibility Manager
Social Responsibility Managers are responsible for developing and implementing a company's social responsibility programs. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Social Responsibility Managers who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to promote social responsibility.
ESG Fund Manager
ESG Fund Managers are responsible for managing investment funds that invest in companies with strong ESG performance. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for ESG Fund Managers who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to generate superior returns.
Impact Investor
Impact Investors are investors who seek to generate both financial returns and positive social and environmental impact. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Impact Investors who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to generate positive social and environmental impact.
Corporate Social Responsibility Officer
Corporate Social Responsibility Officers are responsible for overseeing a company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Corporate Social Responsibility Officers who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to promote CSR.
ESG Analyst
ESG Analysts are responsible for evaluating a company's ESG performance and providing recommendations on how to improve it. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a strong foundation in ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for ESG Analysts who want to develop their skills in ESG analysis.
Philanthropy Advisor
Philanthropy Advisors help individuals and organizations develop and implement their philanthropic giving strategies. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Philanthropy Advisors who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to promote social and environmental change.
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers provide financial advice to companies and governments on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and other financial transactions. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Investment Bankers who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to advise clients on ESG-related transactions.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts evaluate the financial performance of companies and make recommendations on whether to buy, sell, or hold their stocks. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Financial Analysts who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to generate superior returns.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Managers manage investment portfolios for individuals and institutions. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Portfolio Managers who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to generate superior returns.
Risk Manager
Risk Managers identify and manage risks that could impact a company's financial performance. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Risk Managers who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to manage ESG-related risks.
Compliance Officer
Compliance Officers ensure that a company's operations comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Compliance Officers who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to ensure that a company's operations comply with all ESG-related laws and regulations.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. The ESG Data & Accountability course from Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing, including how to use data and technology to assess a company's ESG performance. This course would be particularly beneficial for Data Analysts who want to learn more about ESG investing and how it can be used to analyze ESG-related data.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in ESG Data & Accountability.
This comprehensive guide provides a comprehensive overview of ESG investing for investment professionals. It would be a valuable resource for those seeking to develop their knowledge of the field.
Is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and by industry professionals. This book may be of particular interest to those interested in making a positive impact through their investments.
Could be useful additional reading for those who wish to learn more about the history of ESG investing and how the practice has evolved over time. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.
Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability management and reporting, including the latest trends and best practices. Provides background knowledge and additional reading.
A comprehensive textbook on corporate social responsibility and sustainability, covering the latest theories and practices. Provides depth and breadth to the course.
Provides a historical perspective on the relationship between commerce and the environment, and how businesses can become more sustainable. Provides historical context and depth to the course.
A controversial book that argues that overpopulation is the root cause of many of the world's problems. Provides a historical perspective and a challenging perspective.
An economic analysis of the risks and uncertainties of climate change. Provides depth and a challenging perspective to the course.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning book that explores the history of extinctions and the current threats facing the planet. Provides depth and a broader perspective to the course.
A historical analysis of the causes of societal collapse. Provides depth and a broader perspective to the course.

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