Sustainable Investing Certificate
Sustainable Investing Certificate overview
The Sustainable Investing Certificate equips you with the skills to incorporate ESG factors (environmental, social, and governance) into your investment decision-making process – capabilities that are increasingly essential in today's market. Through comprehensive online learning, you'll develop the knowledge base to analyze environmental, social, and governance considerations, positioning yourself as a sustainability expert in your organization. Backed by CFA Institute's global recognition, this certificate opens doors to career advancement in the rapidly growing field of sustainable finance.
This certificate is part of our sustainability learning path. Take a look at our full range of sustainable investing programs.
Explore the new Principles of Sustainable Investing Certificate in Simplified Chinese
Why earn the Sustainable Investing Certificate?
Specialized growth sector
Fill your knowledge gaps and improve your confidence in the rapidly expanding ESG investing sector.
Career advancement
Become the ESG expert at your organization or pursue new opportunities in sustainable investing.
Global recognition
Leverage the global recognition of CFA Institute to unlock international career opportunities in ESG investing.
Expert insights
Develop a solid foundation with curriculum from investment education leaders.
Flexible schedule
Study online at your own pace and complete the exam either in-person or online within a six-month window.
Enhanced professional profile
Get a digital certificate and badge to display your mastery on LinkedIn and other platforms.
Where can I take the Sustainable Investing Certificate exam?
The Sustainable Investing Certificate is available online in most countries, but in-person testing has limited locations.
Check the complete list of in-person test center locations before registering, or review testing online requirements if you prefer remote testing.
Who should register
Investment professionals
Seeking to integrate ESG analysis into daily practice.
Professionals
Working in front or back offices and adjacent roles including advisory, sales, wealth management, and risk roles.
Professionals
Looking to improve their understanding of ESG factors.
We recommend you have prior knowledge of the investment process before taking the Sustainable Investing Certificate. If you’re looking for more advanced knowledge and practical application of climate-related factors, take a look at our new Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate.
Testimonials from learners
If you’re working in the ESG space, or even if you’re not working in the ESG space, I think it would be a good program to get a crash course on ESG and how to think about it and why it matters.
It’s a great way to learn about the space. The content is very good and it’s quite pragmatic as well.
It doesn’t matter what you are doing in your job - you transform into the expert of the company, even if you are not experts because of this change alone. There are a lot of things I don’t know, but I’m in a better position to read about it and ask.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of the certificate and how it has helped me understand the very basic concepts in ESG.
Sustainable Investing Community
This global online community platform offers a blend of exclusive learning, networking, and professional development opportunity. The Sustainable Investing Community is open to all CFA Institute members, plus anyone who has passed the Sustainable Investing Certificate or Climate, Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate.
Understanding sustainable investing
Learn how a certificate in sustainable investing can benefit you with CFA Managing Director in Education, Chris Wiese.
Funding for Hong Kong SAR residents
After successfully completing the Sustainable Investing Certificate, eligible Hong Kong SAR residents can apply for a government subsidy of up to 80% of the course fee, or 100% if studying full-time. Learn more about the funding scheme and find out if you’re eligible.
Frequently asked questions
After registering, you have six months to study the curriculum and complete the exam. We recommend studying 100+ hours before attempting the exam.
Prior knowledge of the investment process is helpful, but there are no prerequisites. This is a foundational certificate for anyone looking to improve their understanding of ESG issues.
The Sustainable Investing Certificate builds foundational knowledge and a broad understanding of the issues across topics including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate is an advanced certificate for anyone who already has foundational knowledge and skills in financial statement analysis and valuation. It teaches practical application of climate-related factors to conduct analysis, valuation, and portfolio construction.
For more than 75 years, CFA Institute has provided investment practitioners with the knowledge they need to advance their career. Our certificates are renowned globally as the gold standard so you can be confident our curriculum will give you the skills you need to stay ahead.
The Sustainable Investing Certificate provides holistic coverage of ESG Investing with a curriculum that is updated every year with the latest research and trends. Plus, with the self-paced format you can study on your own time and schedule the exam at a time that fits your schedule.
Sustainable Investing Certificate
- Certificate - 1 exam
- Foundational level
- 100 hours to complete
- Self-paced online learning
- Learning materials included
- 20 PL Credits (2 SER)
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