Module 1: The ESG Manager’s Role

• ESG vs CSR vs compliance
• Why ESG fails without systems
• What organisations actually expect from ESG leaders

Module 2: The ESG Operating System (ESG-OS)

•   ESG as an operating system
•   Governance   Risk   Data   Reporting   Improvement

Module 3: Running the ESG & Compliance Team

•   ESG committee design and TORs
•   RACI, accountability, and escalation
•   KPI, risk, and audit readiness

Module 4: Stakeholders & Buyer Expectations

•   Managing buyers, lenders, regulators, workers, investors
•   Stakeholder salience and pressure mapping

Module 5: Materiality That Drives Action (MAP)

•   Simplified double materiality
•   From issue lists to decisions
•   Linking materiality to action and proof

Module 6: ESG Risk Management

•   ESG risks vs compliance risks
•   Risk scoring, ownership, and mitigation

Module 7: Controls, Compliance & Governance Assurance

•   Internal controls mindset for ESG
•   Three Lines Model (practical view)
•   Linking ESG to compliance systems

Module 8: KPI Architecture for ESG

•   Leading vs lagging indicators
•   KPI definitions, boundaries, ownership
•   Avoiding vanity metrics

Module 9: ESG Data Centralisation & Evidence (EVIDENCE Model)

•   Why ESG audits fail
•   Data ownership, approval, audit trails
•   Manual systems that actually work

Module 10: Capstone Design & Mid-Program Case

•   How the CESGS capstone is built
•   Common failure patterns
•   What assessors actually test

Module 11: Audit Readiness for ESG

•   Buyer audits vs certifications vs assurance
•   Preparing audit-ready evidence packs

Module 12: Corrective Actions & Audit Survival

•   Non-conformities and findings
•   Root cause analysis and CAPA closure

Module 13: Social Component as a System (CARE Model)

•   Worker voice and grievance mechanisms
•   HR and labour risk management
•   Social evidence expectations

Module 14: Human Rights & Environment Due Diligence (HREDD)

•   Supplier risk screening and prioritisation
•   Monitoring, remediation, and escalation

Module 15: Environmental ESG Project Library

•   Energy, water, waste & chemical management
•   What projects actually reduce risk and cost

Module 16: ESG Roadmaps & Prioritisation

•   Scoring ESG initiatives
•   12-month roadmap planning
•   Budget and sequencing logic

Module 17: CAPEX, ROI & ESG Investment Decisions

•   CAPEX vs OPEX decisions
•   Payback, vendor evaluation, risk value

Module 18: Reporting Roadmap (GRI / IFRS / CDP)

•   Framework selection logic
•   Disclosure structure and gap reading

Module 19: ESG Communication & Safe Claims

•   ESG storytelling under scrutiny
•   Avoiding greenwashing
•   Evidence-linked claims

Module 20: The CESGS Standard & Professional Practice

•   Professional conduct and ethics
•   Continuous improvement and system maturity
•   What it means to be a CESGS professional

Participants complete a portfolio-based capstone, including:

1.   ESG governance charter and decision framework
2.   ESG risk register and controls library
3.   KPI dictionary and data workflows
4.   Evidence repository and audit-ready proof packs
5.   Social due diligence and remediation logic
6.   12-month ESG roadmap and one investment case
7.   Safe ESG claims mapped directly to evidence

The capstone demonstrates the ability to run ESG as a system, beyond just theories.