The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) has launched a new online sustainable investment course to help advisers better understand industry ESG jargon.
The intermediate level CISI Sustainable and Responsible Investment Professional Assessment is designed to give an overview of the terminology used, the use of benchmarks and future trends. It will cover areas including definitions and terminology; the crossover with ESG; initiatives, standards and guidance; global developments, as well as regulatory concerns and requirements.
Advisers will also gain knowledge on benchmarking strategies, client sustainability objectives, ESG integration and the future landscape.
The course, which requires six hours of study time/ CPD hours, comprises a mix of videos, interviews and reading materials, followed by a 60-minute test.
The industry body said the course is not only relevant to wealth and investment managers but would appeal to those working across risk, compliance, asset management, banking, insurance, operations and financial planning.
Kevin Moore, global business development director at CISI, said: “Threats such as climate change and populations growing across the world indicate that sustainable and responsible investment approaches that seek to consider environmental good and financial return are in demand. There is more focus than ever before on sustainability, green investment and environmental, social and governance considerations.
“There is also increasing emphasis coming from regulators on integrity in this area, including anticipated reporting requirements and a need for all professionals to understand the key concepts with regards to responsible finance.”
CISI said its recent survey showed that only a fifth of UK financial services professionals were confident their firms were committed to ethical finance policies and ESG principles.
Moore added: “Our new Sustainable and Responsible Investment course provides practitioners with the knowledge required to provide investors with the confidence and trust they need to embrace this rapidly expanding area.
“Ahead of the UK hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in November this year, the focus for global financial services practitioners – for themselves, their clients and their firms – is to ensure their knowledge and skills are up to speed in this fast-moving ESG area.”
