Course outline
Environmental and
Social Governance (ESG)
The Governance Academy is part of Governance Institute of Australia Ltd.
© Governance Institute of Australia Ltd 2024 ABN 49 008 615 950
© Governance Institute of Australia Ltd 2023
ABN 49 008 615 950
Acknowledgements
Author:
Dr. Kaushik Sridhar, Founder & CEO, Orka Advisory (PhD, MBA)
Copyright
Copyright strictly reserved. No part of these materials covered by copyright should be reproduced or
copied in any form or by any means without the written permission of Governance Institute of
Australia.
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Course outline
While both ESG and sustainability are crucial concepts for businesses in today's world, they have
distinct meanings and purposes.
Sustainability refers to a company's long-term ability to operate in a way that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland,
G. 1987).
ESG is an internal and external framework used by investors and stakeholders to assess a company's
risks and performance considering three key areas: environmental, social, and governance practices
(Global [Link]):
• Environmental: evaluates a company's impact on the environment, including climate change,
resource depletion, pollution, and waste management practices.
• Social: focuses on a company's relationships with its people and society, including labour
practices, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, human rights, and product safety.
• Governance: encompasses the system by which an organisation is controlled and operates, and
the mechanisms by which it, and its people, are held to account. Ethics, risk management,
compliance and administration are all elements of governance (Governance Institute of
Australia). It assesses the effectiveness of a company's leadership, board structure, risk
management practices, ethical conduct, and transparency.
Couse aim
The aim of this course is to provide a foundational understanding of ESG principles and their
application in governance. This course will explore the core concepts, professional practices, and how
ESG influences personal thinking within governance roles.
Learning objectives
• Define and explain the three pillars of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).
• Analyse the impact of ESG on businesses, investors, and stakeholders.
• Develop critical thinking skills to apply ESG concepts to real-world scenarios.
Environmental and Social Governance
© Governance Institute of Australia 3
Course content
1 Introduction
1.1 What is ESG?
1.2 The aim of this course
1.3 The learning objectives of this course
1.4 Why is ESG important?
2 Section A – Governance Principles and ESG
2.1 The evolution of ESG
2.2 The three pillars of ESG
2.3 Benefits of robust ESG governance
2.4 Regulatory landscape
2.5 ESG frameworks
2.6 Focus questions
3 Section B – Professional Practices and ESG
3.1 The role of governance professionals in ESG
3.2 ESG integration across the business
3.3 Engage stakeholders
3.4 Data management and reporting
3.5 ESG risk management
3.6 Ethical considerations
3.7 Developing an ESG mindset
3.8 Focus questions
4 Section C – Personal Thinking and ESG
4.1 Real-world ESG scenario
4.2 Case study response
5 Conclusion
6 Further resources
7 Further readings
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