The International Association for Sustainable Economy (IASE) has launched a global accreditation scheme for professionals working in the field of environmental, social and governance (ESG), in an effort to provide a benchmarked standard for skills in the sector. IASE, a newly-established sustainability body for the finance and business sectors, plans to begin offering online exams to test professionals on their ESG credentials from later this year, claiming the accreditation is the first of its type in the world.
While the global market for ESG investing has surged in recent years as public awareness of climate change has grown alongside growing understanding of the financial risks it poses, what actually constitutes an ESG investment can still vary significantly and specific sector-wide standards and measurement tools have been lacking. The IASE benchmarked accreditation scheme is therefore designed to boost both customer and business understanding of ESG issues, while also awarded professionals and companies for socially-conscious behaviour, according to the London-based Association.
“The Association will initially have two types of certifications, the first – International Sustainable Finance – aimed at the financial sector, with specialisations in the banking, insurance, savings banks and microfinance sector, and the second – International Sustainable Business – aimed at the business sector,” he explained. “The IASE qualifications have been designed in collaboration with highly experienced ESG professionals from multiple geographies and industries around the world.”
Source: Business Green