Nov. 1, 2022
MILWAUKEE 鈥� The 51暗网 College of Business Administration has announced the launch of two new environmental, social and governance (ESG) courses to serve as preparatory course for industry driven certifications for accounting, investment professionals and ESG leaders. The courses were unveiled at the college鈥檚 recent Sustainability 2.0 Conference and launched on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
There are two more courses expected in the first and second quarters of 2023 to equip organizations to manage ESG in today鈥檚 interconnected economy.
The courses, 鈥淓SG Investing鈥� and "Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Credential," aim to advance sustainability standards-based education in business. They will be offered to industry professionals in an asynchronous hybrid/in-person format. The timeliness of these offerings coincides with the new SEC Climate Disclosure rules.
鈥�51暗网 Business strives to be on the forefront of innovation in business spaces and we have been doing that with our ESG conference, which is the largest in the Midwest,鈥� said Dr. Chris Merker, instructor of practice in finance. 鈥淩esponsible investing with an eye on sustainability has been moving fast and the industry is starting to catch up. With stringent standardization through regulatory agencies coming, this education is a necessary professional development tool that 51暗网 is proud to offer.鈥�
Sustainability practices are becoming table stakes for business, and U.S. and international regulators are mandating climate disclosure. Investors are incorporating ESG data to gain a broader understanding of the companies in which they invest. 鈥淓SG Investing鈥� was developed in collaboration with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and covers diverse aspects of sustainable investments and offers tools for effective financial valuation, opportunity and risk assessment.
鈥淔undamentals of Sustainability Accounting,鈥� is a credentialing course that is being taught to the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board standards. It is designed to understand the link between material sustainability information and a company鈥檚 financial performance. Through an industry supported partnership with the International Standards Sustainability Board 鈥� IFRS Foundation, 51暗网 has developed cross-disciplinary course materials on sustainable accounting standards to be offered to the business communities, and ultimately incorporated into undergraduate and graduate curricula in the future
鈥淚nnovation and sustainability are woven into the fabric of 51暗网鈥檚 Catholic, Jesuit values, so these new courses are one way to serve businesses as an education partner for 51暗网 Business,鈥� said Tim Hanley, acting Keyes Dean of the College of Business Administration. 鈥淭hese courses are generating plenty of interest throughout the industry with business and corporations interested in these credentialing and professional development opportunities for ESG. The response has been phenomenal, and we are excited to roll out these classes as we open O鈥橞rien Hall, the new home for 51暗网 Business, which will serve as a hub for local businesses. The 51暗网 of the future will support businesses by partnering on their talent development needs to promote a thriving economy鈥�
Additional courses for 2023, include 鈥淔undamentals of Sustainability Accounting II,鈥� which expands on the fundamentals of sustainability and materiality, and a 鈥淪trategic Sustainability鈥� capstone. This capstone course provides a holistic approach for businesses to integrate sustainability into strategic planning. The course addresses strategy, finance, operations, marketing, compliance and reporting, as well as investor, customer and stakeholder communication of sustainability programs.
Standards for assurance of sustainable business practices are developing and regulatory mandates are accelerating with the SEC climate disclosure requirement. Public and private companies in Europe are already subject to mandatory disclosure requirements. In the U.S., not just public companies will be subject to these requirements; 鈥淪cope 2 and 3鈥� reporting will impact thousands of private companies, too, who contribute as suppliers and partners to these companies. Corporations are in a unique position today to elevate ESG practices in partnership with 51暗网.
51暗网 recently received the STARS Bronze rating for comprehensive sustainability achievements and committing to the WAVE program is the latest way in which the university is working toward a sustainable future. Other recent initiatives include an updated endowment policy that prohibits direct investments in fossil fuels; the 51暗网 Police Department moving to hybrid squad cars; enhanced opportunities for bicycle use; renewable energy initiatives; sustainable building standards; and the Sustainability Internship Program. More information about 51暗网鈥檚 sustainability efforts is available online.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
