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Sustainability Studies in Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Certificate

Build the knowledge, tools and leadership skills needed to advance ESG strategies in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) and climate reporting has become highly polarized globally, with stark differences between regions: Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific are pushing strong mandatory rules, while the U.S. is deeply divided along political lines, and emerging markets are adopting ESG more pragmatically but with uneven enforcement.

This course takes you through the history of corporate sustainability, to the divide between regulators, investors and political backlash. Then you’ll be hands-on using technology to turn ESG into a core strategic and risk function. Not just as a standalone compliance project, but to build agility into governance, data and communication regardless of how corporate sustainability evolves moving forward.

Delivery Method: In-person* Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6–9 p.m., and online, asynchronous

Tuition: $12,000

*All in-person classes are held at Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta.

The Sustainability Studies in Environmental, Social & Governance certificate is a one-year, non-credit program assigned CIP code 30.3301. To confirm if the CIP code assigned to your program of study is PGWP-eligible, please use the tool on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Master the full spectrum of ESG in two terms.

We take you from foundational literacy to advanced executive strategy:

Terms Dates Description
Term 1: ESG Foundations, Data Management & Compliance May 4 – Aug. 28, 2026 Gain expert command over materiality assessments, global compliance, carbon accounting and the critical data tools needed to measure impact – including biodiversity and circularity.
Term 2: Social Impact, Governance & Future Trends Sept. 7 – Dec. 18, 2026 Advance to strategic integration, embedding Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into core business functions. Master sustainable finance, mitigate climate risk and lead with ethics to guide your organization's sustainable future.

 

Program Details

  • This certificate program is available to international students only. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

    • A post-secondary credential from a recognized institution, or
    • Relevant professional experience in business, sustainability, finance, governance or a related field

    English language proficiency may be required. Applicants without formal credentials may be considered based on relevant work experience.

    Students must meet eligibility requirements for all required study and work permits.

  • Graduates of this program will be prepared to support or lead ESG initiatives across sectors, including roles in sustainability management, ESG reporting, risk and compliance, sustainable finance, governance and strategic planning.

Term 1: ESG Foundations, Data Management & Compliance

  • This essential course is your mandatory first step. You will rapidly build a solid foundation in core ESG principles, decode critical global regulations and gain hands-on proficiency with the GreenWorks ESG software. Learn the fundamental "why" (compliance) and the practical "how" (data management) to immediately contribute to your firm's ESG success.

  • Learn to identify the issues that truly matter to your business and your bottom line. This course arms you with the definitive tools to map key stakeholders, engage them effectively and execute a high-impact materiality assessment. Discover how to filter out noise, focus resources on critical ESG risks and build a compelling business case for sustainability investment.

  • This course moves you beyond compliance to strategic leadership. Learn precisely how to map your business's core activities to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We provide the frameworks to embed ESG priorities directly into your corporate strategy, unlocking new markets, driving innovation and delivering measurable long-term value that investors demand. This is where purpose meets profit — master the alignment and become your company's strategic advantage.

  • Future-proof your enterprise! Master carbon accounting, develop executable net-zero strategies and build robust climate resilience plans. Gain the expertise to turn climate threats into strategic financial opportunities. Stop fearing the carbon footprint — start controlling it!

  • This course empowers you to measure and mitigate risks related to biodiversity loss and land use. Master the principles of the circular economy to reduce waste, optimize resource flows and unlock radical new efficiencies.

Term 2: Social Impact, Governance & Future Trends

  • The "S" pillar is your greatest differentiator. This essential course moves beyond simple metrics to help you develop, implement and track meaningful diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies. Learn to meet rising investor and regulatory demands while cultivating an environment that demonstrably boosts innovation, talent retention and brand trust. Turn social responsibility into a powerful competitive advantage.

  • The "G" pillar is the foundation of trust. This course delivers the tools to design best-in-class governance structures, manage critical board-level issues and implement robust ethics and anti-corruption frameworks. Master the leadership skills required to steer your organization through complex ethical challenges, satisfying regulators and securing the confidence of your stakeholders. Position yourself as the ethical anchor of your firm.

  • This course is your gateway to the world of green and sustainable finance. Learn to leverage ESG metrics to secure investment, understand the principles of green bonds and impact funds, and analyze how investors evaluate non-financial risk. You will gain the power to speak the language of finance, attracting capital and ensuring your projects get funded. Transform ESG from a cost center into a powerful financial driver.

  • This crucial course focuses on the next generation of disruptive technologies that are fundamentally reshaping the "E" pillar. You will dive deep into agri-tech, climate-tech, green AI and IoT solutions. Learn how to evaluate, pilot, and scale these innovations to radically reduce your firm's environmental impact and unlock unprecedented operational efficiencies and competitive advantage. Master the technology of tomorrow, today.

  • This course is the culmination of your journey: a hands-on capstone where you apply all nine preceding courses. Your final deliverable is a complete, investor-grade ESG action plan for a real organization. Prove your strategic competence by integrating data, finance and governance into one cohesive document.

How To Register

Registration details coming soon.