Fauzia Safdar Khan’s Post

DIFC Academy proudly partners with AICPA to bring you the "Fundamentals of ESG Certificate". For CPAs and finance professionals, ESG has rapidly become a hot topic with significant implications for the profession. This course will help you recognize the importance of sustainability and ESG in today’s business environment and the increasing stakeholder demand for sustainability information from businesses. You’ll gain an overview of ESG that will help you develop an understanding of what issues each pillar entails. You’ll be introduced to the key bodies that have created suitable reporting standards, guidelines, frameworks, and requirements that have evolved and merged in a drive toward a global baseline. Receive a certificate and digital badge to showcase your new knowledge in this developing area. Get started on your ESG journey today! Key Topics 1. What is ESG 2. Expectations of investors, stakeholders, and shareholders Accountant role within ESG 3. Existing reporting requirements 4. Standards and frameworks that drive reporting 5. Key global bodies that set the baseline for reporting and frameworks To register and know more about the program: https://lnkd.in/dziTC-tG

I just recently completed my Principles of ESG and Sustainability for Business Certificate offered by Deloitte through Arizona State University and wanted to share some of the key takeaways. I found the Foundations of GHG Accounting for Organizations course the most fascinating, as I got to learn about the methodologies for calculating companies' carbon footprints, the existing global standards that continue to evolve and develop, and the future of the landscape. These standards don't just apply to companies that brand themselves as "green" but effect (or in the near future will effect) major companies throughout the world. Scope 1, 2, & even 3 (direct and indirect) emissions are expected to be measured, reported, and managed in the next few years. Many successful companies have been capturing and recording these data points for years but some lack the internal infrastructure and controls to report on these emissions. There have been standards (GHG Protocol) and industry norms established to guide companies in how to address missing or incomplete data in order to understand their carbon footprint and how to better establish processes for improved data and calculation methods. In these courses, I also learned about LCAs (Life Cycle Assessments), Materiality Assessments, Supply Chain Optimization, Biomimicry, Greenwashing, Risk Assessments, Regulatory Bodies, Rating Agencies, and much more. If you have interest in any of the above topics- I would love to connect and discuss more. I am always looking to learn more about the space- please reach out!

I'm really pleased to have successfully completed the ICAEW's Sustainabilty Certificate. It has provided a valuable insight into the risk and opportunities that exist when considering sustainability. As well as a comprehensive overview of ESG assessments and reporting and the role of finance professionals. #ESG #icaew #sustainability