New ESG course to help investors assess risk profiles

15 September 2021

The Candriam Academy has launched a new ESG course designed to help investors better understand a company’s ESG risk profile.

The ESG analysis module is designed to introduce investors to the five key steps required to assess a company’s risk profile including examining a company’s revenue and spending to understand its main activity, how this activity aligns with sustainability objectives and how to consider whether the company’s operational conduct presents any scope for future controversies.

In addition, the module will cross pollinate ESG data across different functions, including corporate engagement.

The Candriam Academy, launched in 2017 to raise awareness, education and knowledge on the topic of sustainable and responsible investing, is free to access and currently has 8,000 members including institutional investors, fund selectors, financial advisers and retail investors.

Vincent Hamelink, chief investment officer, Candriam, said: “Our new module provides investors with the essential tools to build a more complete understanding of a company’s ESG risk profile.

“Its introduction enhances our existing training programme and will further increase the Academy’s role in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future through encouraging responsible and sustainable investment best practice.”

David Czupryna, head of ESG development, commented: “There is a growing expectation for investors to undertake sound ESG analysis to fully understand a company’s risk profile. Whilst financial information has been subject to mandatory disclosure in a number of markets for some time, the scope of information available to investors for ESG analysis can vary significantly from one company to another.

“We therefore felt it was important to leverage our own experience in responsible investment to guide investors on the key steps that are required in their own ESG analysis within investment decision making.”

[Main image: maxim-tolchinskiy-unsplash]

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