Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
This course explores the relationship between corporate compliance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. ESG has gained importance in recent years as a framework for businesses striving to be profitable and socially responsible. The course will analyze the application of Compliance principles from the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to the ESG model, covering aspects such as climate change, sustainability, workers' rights, diversity, and governance ethics. Students will trace the evolution of ESG from the Triple Bottom Line to Corporate Social Responsibility and examine the viability of the Friedman Model. Additionally, the course will explore ESG reporting models and their impact on governance and investing. Upon completion, students will understand ESG principles, their relation to compliance, and best practices for corporate governance and ESG reporting.
Outcomes: Summarize the background and key milestones of the ESG movement, and the key drivers; Articulate the basic elements of a corporate ESG program (generally), as well as the benefits of an effective ESG program, and the risks arising from a poor one; Articulate/explain the various definitions, reporting standards and individual parameters/criteria that are commonly used (and tailored) within a Corporation's Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") program; Review and assess the adequacy of a Corporation's ESG strategy, internal policies, disclosures, and related initiatives by applying an understanding of both applicable regulatory requirements and program best practices; Understand the role of standard setting and rating agencies; Locate, assemble and compare ESG reports (and the various evaluative criteria) for various companies within different industry sectors - that were prepared by the top four ESG rating agencies for various industry sectors (eg MSCI, Sustainalytics, Bloomberg and ISS); Recommend the processes, the supporting initiatives, the supporting players (from various corporate departments), as well as outside ESG experts and advisors that must be engaged and coordinated to develop and implement an effective ESG program; Forecast some of the upcoming issues in the future of ESG, and how companies can best be prepared.
Outcomes: Summarize the background and key milestones of the ESG movement, and the key drivers; Articulate the basic elements of a corporate ESG program (generally), as well as the benefits of an effective ESG program, and the risks arising from a poor one; Articulate/explain the various definitions, reporting standards and individual parameters/criteria that are commonly used (and tailored) within a Corporation's Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") program; Review and assess the adequacy of a Corporation's ESG strategy, internal policies, disclosures, and related initiatives by applying an understanding of both applicable regulatory requirements and program best practices; Understand the role of standard setting and rating agencies; Locate, assemble and compare ESG reports (and the various evaluative criteria) for various companies within different industry sectors - that were prepared by the top four ESG rating agencies for various industry sectors (eg MSCI, Sustainalytics, Bloomberg and ISS); Recommend the processes, the supporting initiatives, the supporting players (from various corporate departments), as well as outside ESG experts and advisors that must be engaged and coordinated to develop and implement an effective ESG program; Forecast some of the upcoming issues in the future of ESG, and how companies can best be prepared.