Summary
This workshop is designed to equip participants with foundational knowledge on what sustainability means for business and how corporate sustainability/ESG (environmental social and governance) strategies are developed and reported on, learning from best practice approaches and examples.
At the end of this programme participants will:
- Understand why sustainability and ESG is at the top of the global agenda and its relevance for business and industry.
- Understand key sustainability concepts and the tools that businesses use when thinking about them, including carbon footprinting, circular economy thinking and approaches to respond to social issues such as human rights and diversity.
- Understand how corporate sustainability/ESG strategies are developed and how they may be mapped to the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Be aware of the various sustainability reporting standards, frameworks, certifications and ESG ratings that are commonly used.
This programme is for:
Managers or employees who want to develop their knowledge of the corporate sustainability agenda and how businesses need to respond. This could include newly appointed members of a sustainability team or those from other functions who have a role to play in implementing their company’s sustainability strategy, e.g. marketing, HR, supply chain, product development, sales etc.
This programme is not aimed at those working in financial services who need to understand sustainable finance, ESG investing and related topics such as the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). People seeking training on these topics should seek out a specialist sustainable finance course.
Approach
This 1 day programme is practical and interactive in its approach. It aims to demystify the world of sustainability and ESG and show how businesses can take concrete steps to develop a strategic and structured response. The discussions will be brought to life with case studies and exercises. The programme is delivered virtually via Zoom.
Programme Schedule
The business case for sustainability
- Defining sustainability and ESG
- Who and what is driving the agenda?
- Overview of the policy landscape
- Interconnectivity of E, S and G
Understanding key sustainability concepts
- Carbon footprinting and carbon reduction targets
- Circular economy thinking
- Responding to climate risks and opportunities
- Managing social issues (e.g. diversity & inclusion)
Developing and reporting on your sustainability strategy
- Six step approach to sustainability strategy development
- Mapping to the Sustainable Development Goals
- Overview of reporting frameworks, standards and certifications
- ESG ratings and how they work
Programme Facilitator
Karen Deignan
Karen is a Co-Founder of SustainabilityWorks, a consulting firm on a mission to accelerate Ireland’s transition to a sustainable future. She helps organisations develop and communicate sustainability strategies. Over her 20-year career, Karen has advised multinationals and SMEs from many different sectors across the UK, Ireland, US, and Europe. She loves making the complex world of sustainability simple, so that people feel empowered to act.
Prior to setting up SustainabilityWorks, Karen worked in London for sustainability consultancies Salterbaxter, Corporate Culture, and the Carbon Trust. She has a Masters in Organisational Psychology from the London School of Economics and a BA in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin.
