[Flagship] Sustainable Investing Certificate

[Flagship] Sustainable Investing Certificate

By earning the Sustainable Investing Certificate, you will be well-positioned to meet the growing demand for ESG investing and succeed in the evolving investment landscape.

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Sustainable Investing Certificate overview

Prepare yourself to meet the growing demand for ESG investing skills with a Sustainable Investing Certificate. The Sustainable Investing Certificate gives you the ability to incorporate ESG factors (environmental, social, and governance) into your investment decision-making process – capabilities that are increasingly sought after. With a Sustainable Investing Certificate, you will play a vital role in prioritizing sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility – now and in the future.

Stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry

ESG investing is no longer simply a good idea, but a reality that has implications for all investment portfolios. If you’re working in the investment industry right now or aspire to, completing a sustainability investing certification is a mark of your dedication. And we can help you achieve that.

The Sustainable Investing Certificate is owned, administered, and awarded globally by CFA Institute, having previously been developed and awarded by CFA Society UK. Previously known as the “Certificate in ESG Investing,” the name was updated on 8 April 2025 to more accurately capture the broader, long-term impact and investing goals that the certificate aims to support. Recognizing ESG in finance as a global priority, the Sustainable Investing Certificate is offered in most countries. However, there are a couple of exceptions – please review the certificate availability below.

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 in-house ESG expert at your current organization or find a new role in the growing field of sustainable investing.

Global recognition
Leverage the global recognition of CFA Institute to unlock international career opportunities in ESG investing.

Expert insights
Build a strong, holistic foundation of knowledge with a curriculum designed by leaders in investment education.

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
Earn a digital badge and certificate that demonstrates your mastery. Share it on social media and professional platforms to enhance your online profile.

Who should register

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 newClimate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate.

Study tools to support your learning

The Learning Ecosystem is our comprehensive digital learning platform. Adaptive and mobile-friendly, it lets you learn at your own pace when and where it’s convenient for you.
Through the Learning Ecosystem, you can access a digital version of the curriculum, including the syllabus, self-assessment questions, and mock exams.

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 Learning Ecosystem

To help keep your studies on track, we offer lots of different ways to engage with the curriculum. So you can learn in a way that suits you and fits with your schedule.
Tools to support your learning
The Learning Ecosystem (LES) is a digital learning tool to help you study more effectively by:
- Personalizing your learning experience.
- Making the curriculum more engaging.
- Giving you convenient access to materials.
Using the desktop or mobile app, access a digital version of the curriculum, including the syllabus, self-assessment questions, and mock exams. You can also download PDF versions of the curriculum, including the syllabus, chapters, and glossary (print versions can also be purchased for an additional charge).
Mock exams
Once you’re ready to test your knowledge, try one of the mock exams in the Learning Ecosystem. These resemble the Sustainable Investing Certificate exam experience as closely as possible so you can assess your level of confidence and see what areas you need to revisit before the real exam.
Exam preparation providers
In addition to the study support provided by CFA Institute, you can benefit from extra exam prep courses and materials from third party providers. CFA Institute Prep Providers agree to follow CFA Institute guidelines and standards in their offerings and communications with candidates.
Sustainable Investing Certificate Curriculum
The curriculum for the Sustainable Investing Certificate has been designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of ESG factors in finance. You’ll explore ESG investing at a high level, examining sustainability contexts and global initiatives. You’ll then drill down into how ESG can be integrated and managed in portfolio construction, and how to report back to clients on ESG factors.

What you'll learn

When you complete the Sustainable Investing Certificate, you will have gained knowledge in a variety of key areas. It's this breadth of your new expertise that will take your career to new heights.
Foundational knowledge
Understand the underlying issues that constitute factors within each of the environmental, social and governance areas, the broader sustainability context and global initiatives, and the ESG market today.
Approaches and application
Discover different approaches to responsible investment and how environmental, social and governance factors can be considered, then learn how to carry out ESG analysis, valuation and integration.
Reporting performance
Explore investment mandates, portfolio analytics and client reporting, and gain the ability to analyze how ESG factors may affect industry and company performance, and security valuation across a range of asset classes.
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    Certificate

    Receive Certificate in Sustainable Investing upon passing the exam.

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    Study time

    100+ hours of study time to achieve the Certificate in Sustainable Investing

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    Once registered, you will have 6 months to sit for your exam

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    Exam format

    Administered in person at test centers in select markets. Online proctoring is available, depending on local regulations and system capability.

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    20 PL credits

    CFA Institute members can claim 20 Professional Learning (PL) credits upon the successful completion of the Certificate in ESG Investing.

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