Training Course on Sustainability Accounting and ESG Reporting

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Sustainability, ESG, and Corporate Responsibility

ü  Defining Sustainability, ESG, and the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit)

ü  The link between ESG factors and financial performance/enterprise value

ü  Stakeholder capitalism and evolving expectations

ü  The business case for sustainability and ESG integration

ü  Practical Session: Brainstorming and mapping a company's value chain activities to E, S, and G impacts

Module 2: The Evolving Landscape of ESG Reporting Standards and Frameworks

ü  Overview of major players: GRI, SASB, IFRS Foundation (ISSB), TCFD

ü  Understanding IFRS S1 (General Requirements) and IFRS S2 (Climate-related Disclosures)

ü  Key differences and convergence efforts between standards

ü  Regional developments (e.g., EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive - CSRD)

ü  Practical Session: Comparing the disclosure topics and metrics required by two different frameworks (e.g., GRI vs. SASB) for a specific industry

Module 3: Materiality Assessment: Identifying Key ESG Issues

ü  The concept of materiality in the ESG context (financial materiality, impact materiality, double materiality)

ü  Steps in conducting a materiality assessment process

ü  Identifying and engaging with key stakeholders

ü  Prioritizing ESG topics for reporting and strategic focus

ü  Practical Session: Conducting a simulated materiality matrix plotting exercise based on stakeholder input and business impact

Module 4: Environmental (E) Metrics: Accounting and Reporting

ü  Key environmental topics: Climate change, energy, water, waste, biodiversity

ü  Accounting for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3)

ü  Reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities (TCFD recommendations/IFRS S2 alignment)

ü  Measurement and reporting of other key environmental indicators

ü  Practical Session: Calculating basic Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions using provided activity data and emission factors

Module 5: Social (S) Metrics: Accounting and Reporting

ü  Key Social Topics: Human capital (labor practices, health & safety, D&I), human rights, community relations, customer welfare

ü  Measuring and reporting on workforce diversity and employee well-being

ü  Assessing social impacts in the supply chain

ü  Developing relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for social issues

ü  Practical Session: Developing sample KPIs and data points for measuring employee diversity & inclusion performance

Module 6: Governance (G) Metrics: Disclosure and Reporting

ü  Key governance topics: Board structure, independence, and diversity; executive compensation; shareholder rights; business ethics; risk oversight

ü  Reporting on corporate governance codes and practices

ü  Disclosure related to anti-corruption policies and ethical conduct

ü  Linking governance structures to sustainability oversight

ü  Practical Session: Reviewing the governance section of a public company's report and identifying alignment with best practices

Module 7: ESG Data Collection, Management, and Controls

ü  Identifying necessary ESG data points based on material topics and chosen frameworks

ü  Establishing robust processes for data collection across departments

ü  Ensuring data accuracy, reliability, and consistency

ü  The role of technology and software in managing ESG data

ü  Practical Session: Designing a basic data collection template and process flow for a specific ESG indicator (e.g., water consumption)

Module 8: Preparing the Sustainability/ESG Report

ü  Choosing the reporting format (standalone, integrated, website)

ü  Structuring the report: Key sections and content elements

ü  Effective communication: Narrative reporting, data visualization, storytelling

ü  Linking non-financial performance to financial outcomes

ü  Practical Session: Critiquing examples of good and bad practices in published sustainability report sections

Module 9: Assurance and Verification of ESG Information

ü  The importance of credibility and the role of assurance

ü  Overview of assurance standards (e.g., ISAE 3000, ISAE 3410)

ü  Levels of assurance: Limited vs. Reasonable

ü  The assurance process and what the assurance statement means

ü  Practical Session: Analyzing an independent assurance statement from an ESG report to understand its scope, criteria, and conclusions

Module 10: Integrating ESG into Strategy, Risk, and Investor Relations

ü  Linking ESG goals to overall corporate strategy and value creation

ü  Incorporating ESG factors into Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks

ü  Communicating ESG performance and strategy effectively to investors and analysts

ü  Future trends in sustainability reporting and integrated thinking

ü  Practical Session: Role-playing an investor relations discussion focusing on the company's climate strategy and performance (based on TCFD/IFRS S2)

About the Trainers

Our trainers are highly experienced professionals and academics with deep expertise in sustainability, ESG reporting, accounting, finance, and corporate governance. They possess practical experience in implementing ESG strategies and reporting frameworks, combined with strong facilitation skills to deliver an engaging and insightful learning experience.

Requirements

ü  Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. 

ü  Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free
2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.
4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.
5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254737566961

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.
2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.
3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.
2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961 or Email training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com  

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961