Decoding Sustainable Finance in Optimizing Financial Performance
1-Day Live-Online, intensive, case-study-based and practical course
Comprehensive set of materials provided for future reference
Traditionally, CFOs and financial controllers have focused on the financial and operational aspects of a company. With, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations having become one of the most pressing elements within a company’s corporate strategy, driven by both investor demand and regulatory scrutiny, they are now expected to play a more active role in integrating ESG considerations into the company’s financial strategy and decision-making.
Measuring impacts allows the company to improve its performance and to make meaningful strides toward its sustainability and financial goals alike. ESG metrics are akin to a diagnostic tool for the company – it identifies areas of inefficiency, highlights opportunities for improvement, and helps set realistic and achievable sustainability objectives.
The EU Parliament and Council on December 2023 struck a deal to protect environment and human rights. The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) obligates companies:
- To perform Double Materiality Assessment
- To perform Suppliers and Business Partners Environmental Assessment
It can impose fines and penalties, up to 5% on their global net revenue, if they fail to comply
Studies revealed that companies with strong ESG ratings outperformed their peers by an average of 7.6% over the past 10 years, demonstrating the link between ESG integration and superior financial performance.
One of the significant benefits of achieving high ESG performance is its positive influence on financial factors. Improved financial performance, reflected in accounting statements and stock returns, directly contributes to the firm’s value calculation, resulting in higher shareholder value. A significant 63% of investors now avoid companies with poor ESG practices, even if financially attractive.
The training is specifically designed for managers and decision makers responsible for:
- Strategy setting
- Sustainable development
- Risk management
- Investment management
- Financial and non-financial reporting
- Lending and fund management
- Compliance Officers
- Acquiring hard and practical skills in how sustainability/ESG strategy and reporting can build brand value and increase financial returns
- Evaluating processes and systems for collecting, analysing, and reporting ESG information and data
- Obtaining skills in Stakeholder Expectations Management and communicating ESG metrics and outcomes
- Comprehending the value and importance of Double Materiality
- Being informed about the new legal, regulatory and compliance framework
Connecting the dots that link ESG to financial performance in the new corporate era
Identify, optimize and prioritize Financial risks and opportunities and develop sustainable strategies in decision making:
- Sustainable Investing
- Financial performance
- Correlation to downside risk
- Shareholder returns
- Group activities based on scenarios
The crucial roles of Double Materiality and Materiality Assessment in identifying the most important ESG factors and key stakeholders
- Group Activities based on scenarios
The design and inclusion of KPI’s in decision making and implementation of controls, metrics and reporting of gaps identified at the initial stages
Scope 1, 2 and 3
- Energy Consumption
- Green House Emissions
- Biodiversity
- Water and Air pollution
- Threats to human health
- Waste Management
- Net zero emissions
Case study
George Koutroupis - a commercially aware and versatile engaging GRI Certified Sustainability Professional. PMP, MBA, MSc educated executive with more than 30 years’ experience of international strategic business and financial management.
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Sustainability reporting is a multifaceted strategic tool that offers a myriad of benefits to businesses. Measuring impacts allows the company to improve its performance and to make meaningful strides toward its sustainability and financial goals alike.
