Sustainability hasn’t gone away. The conversation has simply changed. While regulatory requirements and political priorities continue to evolve, sustainability remains firmly on the business agenda. Investors, lenders, customers, employees and regulators continue to expect organisations to understand and respond to sustainability-related risks and opportunities.
For many professionals, the challenge is not deciding whether sustainability matters. It is understanding what matters, what is changing, and what it means for their organisation.
This practical Certificate is designed to help you make sense of the evolving sustainability landscape.
– You will develop the knowledge needed to:
– Understand key sustainability concepts
– Contribute to discussion
– Evaluate risks and opportunities
– Engage more effectively in decision-making.
Whether you work in finance, risk, governance, operations, advisory or leadership, this programme will help you
navigate an increasingly important area of business with greater confidence and credibility.
*** Applications are OPEN, Enquire now OR email training@windenergyireland.com to register you interest ***
Grant funding comes from Skillnet Ireland through the Irish National Training fund, and, as a result, is ONLY available to residents of the Republic of Ireland who work as a sole trader, or for a private or semi-state commercial company registered in ROI. Please read Eligibility Criteria.
€1,795 (member of CAI) | Subsidised Cost: €1,250 (30% off)
€2,100 (Non-member) | Subsidised Cost: €1,475 (30% off)
The course materials were well designed to support a practical understanding of sustainability, including the importance of reducing pollution, managing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting natural resources, and embedding environmental considerations into corporate strategy, risk management and reporting. – Alfred Strolla
Module 1: Sustainability, Business and Finance
The aim of this module is to provide participants with a clear understanding of the link between global sustainability challenges, corporate sustainability, sustainable finance, and ESG. They will be able to assess how these issues will impact their specific role as an accountant in practice, industry or the public sector.
Module 2: Deep dive on climate
The aim of this module is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the climate crisis, the issue that is at the core of most of the sustainability challenges we face at a planet and as a people. This is also the sustainability issue that is receiving the most focus from governments, regulators, businesses and the financial sector alike.
Module 3: From strategy to reporting I
The aim of this module is to provide participants with an understanding of today’s sustainability reporting landscape, including the ISSB standards, the EU CSRD and ESRS requirements, and the growing importance of ESG data quality, governance, and assurance.
Module 4: From strategy to reporting II
This module explores how organisations identify and select relevant ESG metrics and KPIs, the challenges of capturing ESG data within traditional accounting systems, and the need for strong controls as assurance requirements increase. It also examines sustainability assurance and how ESG data is used by rating agencies, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders.
| Module 1 – Part 1 | Sustainability, business and finance | Tuesday 6 October
6-8pm |
| Module 1 – Part 2 | Tuesday 13 October
6-8pm |
|
| MCQ & Learning Log 1 | Learning Log Release | Tuesday 6 October |
| Learning Log Due | Tuesday 13 October | |
| Module 2 – Part 1 | Deep dive on climate | Tuesday 20 October
6-8pm |
| Module 2 – Part 2 | Tuesday 27 October
6-8pm |
|
| MCQ and Learning Log 2 | Learning Log Release | Tuesday 20 October |
| Learning Log Due | Tuesday 3 November | |
| Module 3 – Part 1 | From strategy to reporting I | Tuesday 3 November
6-8pm |
| Module 3 – Part 2 | Tuesday 10 November
6-8pm |
|
| MCQ and Learning Log 3 | Learning Log Release | Tuesday 3 November |
| Learning Log Due | Tuesday 17 November | |
| Module 4 – Part 1 | From strategy to reporting II | Tuesday 17 November
6-8pm |
| Module 4 – Part 2 | Tuesday 24 November
6-8pm |
|
| MCQ and Learning Log 4 | Learning Log Release | Tuesday 17 November |
| Learning Log Due | Tuesday 1 December |
For many professionals, the challenge is not deciding whether sustainability matters. It is understanding what matters, what is changing, and what it means for their organisation.
This practical Certificate is designed to help you make sense of the evolving sustainability landscape. You will develop the knowledge needed to:
- Understand key sustainability concepts
- Contribute to discussion
- Evaluate risks and opportunities
- Engage more effectively in decision-making.
Assessment is by:
- Four MCQs, one after each module (80%)
- Learning journal, one after each module (20%)
The pass mark is set at 50%.
Sustainability is no longer the responsibility of a specialist team. It increasingly influences strategy, risk management, investment decisions, reporting and stakeholder expectations.
This programme is designed for professionals who are encountering sustainability issues in their work and want to understand what they mean in practice. It is ideal for accountants, Finance managers, interal auditors, business managers and board members.
Whether you work in finance, risk, governance, operations, advisory or leadership, this programme will help you navigate an increasingly important area of business with greater confidence and credibility.
This programme has been designed to meet the needs of professionals who require an understanding of sustainability in business, and is open to:
- Members of Chartered Accountants Ireland and other recognised professional accounting bodies including ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, or CPA,
- holders of a degree at NFQ Level 8 or equivalent qualification,
- those who have experience in finance, business, or another relevant field.
Applicants other than members of Chartered Accountants Ireland must provide proof of their membership of another professional body (where applicable), or details showing how their experience or qualifications are relevant. Our team is happy to discuss any queries you may have regarding eligibility.
The Certificate is awarded under the statutory authority of Chartered Accountants Ireland. Members of Chartered Accountants Ireland will be awarded a Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting from Chartered Accountants Ireland under the ‘1966 ICAI Charter Amendment Act’.
Other participants will be awarded the Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting by Chartered Accountants Ireland Executive Education DAC.
Can I Use The Course Towards my CPD Hours?
This programme offers structured and unstructured CPD with 20 hours contact time. The exact number of hours that can be claimed as CPD will vary for each individual depending on time expended and the regulations of their professional body.
The Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting is delivered online, mixing on-demand, self-paced learning materials with interactive Virtual Classroom sessions and Q&As.
Our learning management platform Moodle will host all your course materials and activities, such as links to pre-recorded videos, course notes and slides, links to your live classroom session, and information on your lecturers and timetable.
This platform also allows you to network and share your questions and experiences with your fellow participants. Course material is released on scheduled dates, including short recorded lectures and a reading list to complement each module.
Each module is also supported by online Virtual Classroom sessions where you will engage with our industry-leading subject matter experts – and your fellow course participants – in an interactive format build around real-world case studies.
Each session will be followed by a one-hour Q&A with the lecturer on a specific topic selected by participants. The live sessions will also allow the opportunity for discussion relevant to the material. Sessions will be streamed live.
The content focuses on building core knowledge required to understand and approach the sustainability and ESG issues that affect accountants and their organisations. Each of the four modules consists of a mix of live online delivery and self-paced study materials.
