Awarded by The Corporate Governance Institute

ESG for Directors and Executive Leaders

Become the person on your board who understands ESG.

Geopolitics, climate risk and changing expectations from employees and customers are reshaping how organisations are judged. Boards are expected to have a view on ESG, but few directors have had the chance to study it properly.

This short course gives directors and executives a clear grasp of ESG in 3 to 5 hours: the key concepts, how investors approach it, why ESG data matters and how to build ESG into the way the organisation performs.
Spread the cost by paying with Klarna or PayPal. Contact us to arrange payment via invoice.
Format
Self-study
Average Study Time
3-5 hours
Access for
6 months
Price
£450 incl VAT

ESG for Directors and Executive Leaders at a glance

ESG for Directors and Executive Leaders is a short online certificate for current and aspiring board members, directors and senior executives who need to understand and oversee ESG. It is awarded and delivered by The Corporate Governance Institute.

The course is studied online at your own pace, in 3 to 5 hours, with 6 months' access to the learning platform. No previous ESG experience is needed.

It covers the key concepts of ESG, how leading organisations and investors approach it, the importance of quality ESG data and reporting, and how to build an organisation where processes, systems and culture reflect ESG values. Learners complete one graded assessment and receive a digital certificate.


The course costs £695 incl. VAT. It is available worldwide through Duco Digital Training, an authorised partner of The Corporate Governance Institute and a BCS-accredited business and technology training provider.

Awarded by The Corporate Governance Institute. Trusted by directors and executives in over 80 countries. 

About the Course

ESG touches strategy, risk, compliance, investment and people, which is exactly why it belongs on the board agenda. But many boards still treat it as a reporting task or leave it to a sustainability team, missing both the risks and the opportunities.

ESG for Directors and Executive Leaders helps you bring ESG into the boardroom properly. It explains the key concepts, looks at how organisations that handle ESG well are benefiting, and shows why reliable ESG data matters and how sustainability reporting should work.

It finishes with performance: how to persuade your board to build an organisation whose processes, systems and culture reflect its ESG commitments.

You'll learn:

• Explain the key concepts of ESG and the opportunities it creates for your organisation
• Understand how leading organisations and investors approach ESG, and what your board can learn from them
• Recognise the need for quality ESG data and how to interpret it
• Build ESG and sustainability reporting into your organisation
• Make the case for an organisation whose processes, systems and culture reflect ESG values.

Questions you'll be able to ask your board:
• How can we navigate the changing ESG landscape?
• Do we have a strategic approach to ESG, or a collection of initiatives?
• Is our ESG framework built for tomorrow's economic realities?
• Do we understand the regulatory and legal framework we operate in?
• Are we using ESG to improve employee engagement and retention?

What you get:

• 3 to 5 hours of self-paced online learning, with [6] months' access
• A digital certificate from The Corporate Governance Institute on successful completion
• Case studies, expert speaker videos and downloadable resources
• One graded assessment, plus knowledge checks, included in the course fee.
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Course Syllabus
Course Requirements
Career Path
course subjects you will learn

Course Syllabus

Key ESG Concepts for Boards and Executives
The Opportunities ESG Creates for Your Organisation
ESG Investing: How Leading Organisations Are Benefiting
Board Strategies for Similar Gains
Why Quality ESG Data Matters
Interpreting ESG Data
Building ESG and Sustainability Reporting into Your Organisation
ESG Performance: Linking Processes, Systems and Culture to ESG Values
The Regulatory and Legal Framework for ESG
ESG, Employee Engagement and Retention
Board Questions to Keep: Testing Your Organisation's Approach to ESG
One Graded Assessment Leading to a Digital Certificate
Eligibility for the course

Course Requirements

No formal prerequisites, and you don't need previous ESG experience. Designed for current and aspiring board members, directors and senior executives.

A good level of English
is recommended
An internet connection with a laptop, tablet or mobile is required. The course is self-paced, so there are no fixed class times.

Not sure if this course is right for you?
Contact us to check your suitability before starting.

career opportunities 

Career Path

ESG for Directors and Executive Leaders helps learners:
• Become the go-to person on ESG within their board or leadership team
• Contribute with confidence to board discussions on ESG strategy, risk and reporting
• Show prospective boards they understand ESG oversight
• Take a first step towards the Overview of ESG certificate or the Diploma in ESG.

For employers, it gives leaders a shared understanding of ESG before they commit to a strategy.
Industries
  • Transport and Logistics
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Engineering & Manufacturing

  • Financial Services
  • Construction and Property
  • Professional Services, Audit and Consulting

  • Retail, Food and Consumer Goods
  • Technology and Telecoms
  • Charities and Non-Profits
Every board now faces questions about ESG, and every board needs directors who can answer them.

Pass Assist

Your course price isn’t just for learning materials — it includes the complete Pass Assist package, designed to give you the best chance of passing your Certificate with confidence.

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Study at Your Own Pace

No fixed class times. Fit the course around work within your 6-month access period.

Practical tools you keep

Templates, frameworks and board questions you can use straight away

Learn from specialists

Led by TCGI's ESG lead, who has worked with multinationals and start-ups.

Real World Case Studies

Learn from real ESG cases and failures.

TCGI assessment included 

The Corporate Governance Institute's assessment fee is included at the end of your course. No additional fee to pay.

Employer sponsorship support

Help making the case for your employer to fund your place, with invoicing direct to your organisation
Format
Self study
Average Study Time
3-5 hours
Access for
6 months
Price
£450 incl VAT

EMPLOYERS
NEED QUALITY ESG SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

29%

Board directors who feel completely knowledgeable enough to challenge management on sustainability.

89%

Directors who rely only on management updates to stay informed about ESG.


7 in 10

Directors who say their board is only moderately or not at all effective at integrating ESG into strategy.

Book a Career Call

Not sure which ESG course is right for you?

Book a free 15-minute call. We'll help you choose between this short course, the Overview of ESG certificate and the Diploma in ESG.
This certificate is for you if you:
• Sit on a board that needs to take a clearer position on ESG
• Are a senior executive responsible for ESG strategy or performance
• Want to join a board and need to show you understand ESG
• Need a quick, credible introduction to ESG at leadership level.

Typical roles include: board members and non-executive directors, CEOs and C-suite executives, senior managers and aspiring directors.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ESG for Directors and Executive Leaders course?

It is a short, self-paced online certificate from The Corporate Governance Institute. It helps directors and senior executives understand ESG and build it into board decision-making.

Can I take the modules separately?

Yes. Each of the two modules is also sold as a short course. Taking both as this certificate costs less.

How does this differ from the Diploma in ESG? 

The covers covers ESG in 6 hours. The Diploma in ESG covers 10 modules in 30+ hours, adds investing, risk, data and reporting standards, and is accredited by Birkbeck, University of London.

Who is The Corporate Governance Institute?

The Corporate Governance Institute (TCGI) is a global leader in corporate governance education and certification.

It has educated directors and executives in over 80 countries, and its faculty and Governance Advisory Council include leaders from organisations around the world. Duco Digital Training is an authorised partner of The Corporate Governance Institute.

How long will I have access to the course? 

You have 6 months' access to the sessions, materials and resources from the programme start date.

Is this course relevant if my organisation is based outside the EU? 

Often, yes. CSRD can apply to non-EU groups with significant EU activity, and many suppliers are asked for sustainability data by EU customers.

How long does the Certificate take to complete?

Most learners complete it in 3 to 5 hours. You have 6 months' access from enrolment.

How is the course assessed? 

There is one graded assessment, plus ungraded knowledge checks, with multiple-choice, multiple-select, matching and true/false questions.

What will I receive?

On successful completion you receive a digital certificate from The Corporate Governance Institute, which you can share on LinkedIn.

How to start the course?

Enrol online with card, PayPal or Klarna, or contact us to pay by invoice or bank transfer. If your employer is sponsoring you, please contact us and we can invoice them directly.

We train individuals and support teams with their training needs in organisations, colleges, universities, and government departments in different countries. Contact us if you have any questions.

What happens after I enrol?

  1. You receive a confirmation email from Duco Digital Training
  2. We register you with The Corporate Governance Institute within 2 working days
  3. TCGI will email your learning platform login and orientation session details
  4. Study the course
  5. Complete your assessment(s) in the course
  6. Receive your certificate from The Corporate Governance Institute.

Can organisations buy this course for teams?

Yes. We can enrol boards, leadership teams and groups of senior managers, with a single invoice and support throughout. We can also advise on shorter TCGI programmes for wider management teams. Please contact us to arrange payment by invoice.

Can my employer pay for the course, and enrol a team or board?

Yes. We can invoice your employer directly and if you wish, enrol a team or a board. Please contact us to arrange payment by invoice.

Training a Team or Your Whole Board?

Enrol your whole board or leadership team so everyone shares the same understanding of ESG before you set strategy or targets.
We'll handle the admin: one point of contact, a single invoice to your organisation and group pricing for two or more places.
Write your awesome label here.
Format
Self study
Average Study Time
6 hours
Access for
6 months
Price
£450 incl VAT

Corporate Governance Institute Testimonials

"Since completing the course we are busy preparing for CSRD reporting and I am certainly benefiting from the course learnings. I have taken responsibility for ESG Reporting. The course content was excellent and clearly delivered. What stood out to me was the breadth of additional resources and reading materials made available to students."
marie porter
"The most beneficial part of the course for me was the depth of material referenced and available throughout the course. I've ended up feeling empowered to make a practical difference, as well as being much better informed."
Andrew Tyrtania
"The course had an excellent structure that greatly enhanced my understanding. It provided a perfect balance between theoretical concepts and insights from industry experts. As a result of completing this course, I was entrusted with leading the project for my company."
Helen Zapounidou

Get in touch today to discuss enrolment, team training, or payment options.

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