Mon, Oct 21
Session 1: Introduction to ESG, Sustainability & Value
Learning Objectives
- Moving beyond mental barriers to innovative solutions (value-focused outside the box thinking)
- Understand the mindset necessary for Sustainability success.
- Understand the role of market forces in sustainability.
- Learn frameworks to facilitate searching for solutions beyond the boundaries
Key Topics
- Introductions: Creating a Supporting Learning Environment
- Icebreaker activities and introductions
- Fostering a sense of community & collaboration
- Why is more important than How or What
- Value optimization begins with Why.
- Focus on value and interests can open doors to innovation.
- Conceptual Approaches and Styles
- Brute Force
- Strategy & Innovation
- Ask smarter questions and develop better solutions.
- Learn to see boundaries that stifle innovation.
- Answers are only valuable one problem at a time.
- Thinking beyond boundaries generates smarter questions and more durable solution paths.
Recommendations
- Encourage sharing of personal motivations and stories
- Help students to understand the tendency to default to the How/What and to consciously move to Why & Value.
Session 2: Sustainability and Finance: Trends and Foundations
Learning Objectives
- Understand causes of growing importance of ESG and Sustainability in Finance
- Understand the trends and technology behind the changes.
- Understand the emergence of a practical and strategic alignment of finance, sustainability, corporate profitability, and value.
- Understanding key trends that are driving current and future importance of ESG.
Key Topics
- Key considerations of business finance?
- Stability, predictability, current and future value
- How did ESG and Sustainability become key finance issues?
- Role of technology
- Role of climate change
- Evolving consumer values and interests
- Tsunami of global warming issues
- Management reactions to evolving changes.
- Awareness of the changes didn’t permeate business, causing ghettoization and exclusion.
- Case-study Groupwork
Recommendations
- Understand trends that build momentum and drive change.
- Include sustainable finance in onboarding for sustainability managers and leaders.
Session 3: Real World Role Play Scenario
Learning Objectives
- Understand the practical realities of sustainability issues in the real world.
- Understand the challenge of dealing with powerful aggrieved stakeholders.
- Understand the perspectives of conflicting stakeholder/company interests.
- Understand the importance of integrating environmental stewardship and social value considerations across business operations.
Key Topics
- Community leadership and tradition
- Role of traditional and community leadership
- Dynamics of working with community and traditional leaders
- Youth
- Role, power and influence of youth and other stakeholders
- Role of contractors and business units in delivering on sustainability promise
- Need to educate and inform business units and contractors.
- Need to have sustainability KPIs for business units and contractors.
- Managing a difficult, dynamic situation
Recommendations
- Ensure business units, contractors, operators, and supply-chain partners are fully briefed on and accountable for ESG and sustainability performance
TUE, Oct 22
Session 4: ESG and the SDGs: Historical, Strategic and Reporting Frameworks
Learning Objectives
- Understand ESG, history and its growing importance and relevance for business and finance.
- Understand the SDGs and their growing importance and relevance for business and finance.
- Understand how to use them as a management and reporting framework.
- Understand how to use them to create and communicate value.
- Understand how to integrate them and use them pragmatically and strategically
Key Topics
- ESG:
- History and driving factors.
- Increasing role in corporate finance and growing importance to investors and other stakeholders
- What is an ESG Scorecard
- Mechanism to put an objective value on ESG performance to enable comparison across sectors and firms.
- Many different scorecards that are primarily relevant only in comparison with others using the same scorecard
- Complex and evolving – relevant for CFO, CEO, Investors, Fund Managers but much less so for operations.
- But ESG can be used as a management and reporting framework at operations level. But need to keep it pragmatic and relevant.
- When is it necessary to consider them and when can you ignore them?
- The SDGs
- Development framework for the planet
- Unanimously adopted by all United Nations member countries in 2015
- Can be made overly complex but can also be made pragmatic and useful.
- Integrating the SDGs and ESG
- Pragmatic integration framework can make them a valuable management and reporting tool at the project level.
- Key to effective use of ESG and SDG frameworks is to match the level of complexity to the demands of how you want to use them. Use them as a tool.
- ESG/SDG Impact Reports and Communications
- How to plan, develop and use.
- Groupwork Case study
Recommendations
- Encourage pragmatic understanding and use of ESG and SDG frameworks.
- Better top-down communication on WHY sustainability data and information is gathered at the corporate level.
- Encourage operations to use ESG and SDG frameworks in a pragmatic way for management, reporting and communications
Session 5: ESG, Sustainability and Finance Overview
Learning Objectives
- Understand the changes that the rise of ESG and sustainability have created in corporate finance.
- Understand the real drivers behind the growing importance of ESG and sustainability in finance.
- Understand the practical and strategic alignment of finance, sustainability, corporate profitability, and value.
- Be ready to build on this understanding
Key Topics
- What is business finance?
- Key principles of business finance
- What do carbon, climate and social issues have to do with business finance?
- Rapidly emerging global issues
- Affecting business and finance risk models
- Business valuation and market capitalization
- Book value
- Intangible value
- 180o degree flip
- Growth of ESG and Sustainable Capital Pools
- United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative
- The majority of global stock exchanges are involved.
- Driving change that affects the private sector.
- The Rise of ESG
- Business management issue
- Corporate Finance Issue
- Groupwork Case study
Recommendations
- Engage finance team members at work to learn more about their perspective on sustainability.
- Include sustainable finance in onboarding for sustainability managers and leaders.
Session 6: Fireside Chat: Corporate Finance, ESG & Sustainability (Investment Banking Executive/Fund Manager TBC)
Learning Objectives
- Understand real-world examples of ESG and Sustainability issues, challenges, opportunities and requirements in the Banking and Finance Sector
Key Topics
- Sustainability in the Banking Sector – real world issues and situations
- Operational Issues
- Regulatory Issues
- Reporting Issues
- Sustainability in the Finance Sector – real world issues and situations
- Operational Issues
- Regulatory Issues
- Reporting Issues
- Other topics and subjects developed through the Q & A session
Recommendations
- Use network from this program to facilitate future cross-sectoral chats
Wed, Oct 23
Session 7: ESG & Sustainability: Value Creation Frameworks & Tools
Learning Objectives
- Understand ESG & sustainability as a key value creation tool for business today.
- Recognize the difference between value-creation and value-distribution.
- Understand that ESG and sustainability investment can be CapEx, OpEx or a blend of both.
- Understand stakeholder theory and value propositions.
- Understand how to undertake a 360-degree value proposition analysis.
- Understand how to develop and communicate value propositions
Key Topics
- Systematically understanding Stakeholders and Value
- What is a Stakeholder & the role of business vis a vis stakeholders?
- How do you determine your stakeholders
- How do you meet their needs without compromising your own
- Analyzing ESG and Sustainability Value
- Value Distribution
- Value Creation
- What is a Value Proposition
- A personalized, What is in it for Them reason to be engaged.
- The basis for developing metrics, monitoring, and reporting.
- Understanding how to recognize and develop value propositions.
- Internal value propositions
- Stakeholder value propositions
- Increasing value through win-win value proposition alignment
- Understand the WHY motivators.
- Look for synergy where 1+1=3
- How to do a Value Proposition Analysis
- Value Sustainability
- Sustainability can be.
- OpEx
- CapEx
- Blended
- ESG and Sustainability Value Frameworks
- Critical for understanding sustainability value across all dimensions and stakeholders.
- Groupwork Case study
Recommendations
- Encourage pragmatic understanding of ESG and Sustainability as Value
- Use ESG and sustainability value frameworks in communication to help ensure a value-centric, shared understanding of sustainability as a value driver
Session 8: ESG & Sustainability Metrics – Measuring what Matters.
Learning Objectives
- Understand various approaches to ESG and Sustainability metrics and measurement.
- Recognize the importance of developing metrics and management systems that provide relevant information.
- Engaging stakeholders in developing metrics and management systems.
- Relationship of metrics to value-propositions and stakeholder engagement
- Understand how to apply this learning to actual projects
Key Topics
- Measurement systems and frameworks
- Gross Domestic Product
- Social Progress Index
- Theory of Change
- Carbon Accounting
- Scope 1, 2 and 3
- Frameworks for understanding
- How to develop stakeholder value and impact metrics and use them to facilitate stakeholder relationships
- Understanding connection of value propositions to metrics and measurement
- Measuring what matters to key stakeholders (internal and external)
- Measurement process – importance of planning for data collection
- Practical Application – Groupwork Case Study
Recommendations
- Ensure a pragmatic ESG and Sustainability metrics and measurement plan is developed for all new projects.
- Review existing projects to assess ESG and Sustainability metrics and measurement plan.
- Use ESG and Sustainability metrics plan to facilitate stakeholder commitment and engagement over time
Session 9: Network Building Event: Desert Safari Adventure
Activity Objectives
- Networking and fun with other participants
- Facilitate stronger and longer lasting networks after the program is completed.
- Bring participants together for free-wheeling, open discussions, and explorations.
- HAVE A TON OF FUN
Key Topics
- Participants will engage with each other around topics of interest and passion. Some will undoubtedly be related to ESG and Sustainability and some won’t.
- Participants will collaborate more effectively because of the shared fun experience
Recommendations
- Always provide free space and time for engagement and exploration. It expands creativity and enhances effectiveness
THU, Oct 24
Session 10: Sustainable Finance & Global Trade: Dr. Samir Hamrouni, President, World Free Zones Organization (Guest Lecture)
Learning Objectives
- Understand the growing importance of ESG and Sustainability in Global Trade and Commerce
- Understand Free Zones and their impact on global trade.
- Understand why ESG and Sustainability is a key strategic issue for Free Zones and trade
Key Topics
- Hamrouni will discuss:
- The growing importance of ESG and Sustainability in Global Trade and Commerce
- Free Zones and their impact on global trade and commerce
- Why ESG and Sustainability are key strategic issues for Free Zones and Trade
- There will be a lengthy Q & A to conclude the session
Session 11: ESG & Sustainability Reporting and Communications
Learning Objectives
- Understand the growing importance of ESG Reports and Sustainability Reporting
- Develop a basic understanding of how to prepare an ESG/Sustainability Report
- Understand when ESG Scorecards need to be considered.
- Develop a cursory level of understanding of important ESG and Sustainability reporting standards and frameworks.
- Understand the difference between ESG & Sustainability Reporting and sustainability communications.
- Understand key points/strategies for ESG and sustainability communications
Key Topics
- What is Natural Capital
- Review natural capital on a macro scale.
- Review natural capital on a micro scale.
- Understand trends in global ESG and sustainability reporting.
- Awareness of leading sustainability reporting frameworks and Standards
- IFC Performance Standards
- Equator Principles
- ISO 26000
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)
- TCFD (Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosure)
- GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)
- CSRD (EU CSR Reporting Directive)
- SDGs
- Sustainability Communications at Project/Field Level
- Frameworks (SDGs, CSR)
- Integrating the ESG/SDG frameworks
- Key touchpoints
- Simplicity and effectiveness strategies
- Developing an ESG Impact Report
- Understanding the value propositions behind the report
- Organizing the Report (sections, order, etc.)
- How to determine materiality
- What must be included?
- How to include SDG Impact
- How to set up a continuous improvement process for ESG Impact Reports
- Strategies and tactics to utilize an ESG Impact Report for communication value.
- Groupwork case studies
Recommendations
- Ensure pragmatic communication of all significant ESG sustainability projects reaches all relevant stakeholders, including internal.
- Always communicate on value and impact
- Always understand the corporate value proposition for creating an ESG Impact Report
Session 12: ESG & Sustainability Reporting and Communications (Continued)
Learning Objectives
- Understand the growing importance of ESG Reports and Sustainability Reporting
- Develop a basic understanding of how to prepare an ESG/Sustainability Report
- Understand when ESG Scorecards need to be considered.
- Develop a cursory level of understanding of important ESG and Sustainability reporting standards and frameworks.
- Understand the difference between ESG & Sustainability Reporting and sustainability communications.
- Understand key points/strategies for ESG and sustainability communications
Key Topics
- What is Natural Capital
- Review natural capital on a macro scale.
- Review natural capital on a micro scale.
- Understand trends in global ESG and sustainability reporting.
- Awareness of leading sustainability reporting frameworks and Standards
- IFC Performance Standards
- Equator Principles
- ISO 26000
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)
- TCFD (Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosure)
- GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)
- CSRD (EU CSR Reporting Directive)
- SDGs
- Sustainability Communications at Project/Field Level
- Frameworks (SDGs, CSR)
- Integrating the ESG/SDG frameworks
- Key touchpoints
- Simplicity and effectiveness strategies
- Developing an ESG Impact Report
- Understanding the value propositions behind the report
- Organizing the Report (sections, order, etc.)
- How to determine materiality
- What must be included?
- How to include SDG Impact
- How to set up a continuous improvement process for ESG Impact Reports
- Strategies and tactics to utilize an ESG Impact Report for communication value.
- Groupwork case studies
Recommendations
- Ensure pragmatic communication of all significant ESG sustainability projects reaches all relevant stakeholders, including internal.
- Always communicate on value and impact
- Always understand the corporate value proposition for creating an ESG Impact Report
FRI, Oct 25
Session 13: Fireside Chat: ESG Considerations from Loan and Investment Funds: (Special Guest Speakers from Banking and Finance TBC)
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of ESG and Sustainability for loan and investment funds.
- Understand how to meet ESG and Sustainability requirements for loan and investment funds
Key Topics
- Increasing importance of ESG and Sustainability for Loans and Investments.
- Why are ESG and Sustainability important criteria for assessing loan applications.
- Why are ESG and Sustainability important criteria for assessing investment proposals.
- Key considerations for meeting the ESG and Sustainability criteria for loans and investments.
- How to begin preparing to meet increasing importance of ESG and Sustainability criteria for loan and investment funds
Session 14: Review and Consolidation
Learning Objectives
- Review program learnings and topics.
- Consolidate and integrate learnings and insights from the week.
- Prepare to make use of the learning in your own professional environment
Key Topics
- ESG, Sustainability and Value
- Sustainable Finance: Trends and Foundations
- ESG & SDGs: Historical, Strategic and Reporting issues and frameworks
- ESG, Sustainability and Finance: Overview
- Corporate Finance, ESG and Sustainability
- ESG and Sustainability: Value Creation Frameworks and Tools
- ESG and Sustainability Metrics
- Importance of networks and ongoing engagement and learning
- Sustainable Finance and Free Trade Zones
- ESG and Sustainability Reporting
- ESG and Sustainability Communications
- ESG Considerations for Loan and Investment Fund Managers
Recommendations
- Continue taking a whole-systems, value-centric approach to ESG and Sustainability
- Build capacity in your teams.
- Democratize ESG and Sustainability across your business and organization
Session 15: Personal Go-Forward Commitments and Awarding of Certificates
