About ESG (Environment, Social and Governance)
IASE, together with its member organizations around the world work together in a closely knit manner to achieve their shared vision and mission.
Changes in the environmental, social and governance are occurring at an unstoppable pace. Climate change, demographic evolution and the technological revolution are transforming our world as we know it. ESG and technology are the main drivers of this change, but their relevance is even greater because of the interaction with other sectors. The significant impact of climate change has generated an urgent need to create content that encompasses sustainability, the circular economy and international regulatory implications.
Our Qualifications
IASE, in consultation with its global stakeholders, establishes and enforces compliance with the highest global professional and ethical standards for sustainability practitioners as well as certification requirements for those aspiring to professional levels.
IASE’s role is more relevant than ever, being the first and only association worldwide that aspires to certify the entire population pyramid in terms of ESG with a global approach, and with three levels of certification, both for the financial sector, International Sustainable Finance ISF® and a second for the rest of the sectors, International Sustainable Business ISB®.
ISB & ISF
The ISF and ISB credentials are one of the most desired and respected global certifications for those seeking to demonstrate their commitment to competent and ethical ESG practice. They symbolise excellence and utmost professionalism in the ESG and Sustainability profession the world over. These designations instantly position you as an expert in the field of ESG and Sustainability.
IASE’s prestigious professional designations - INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE FINANCE® (ISF®) and/or INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS® (ISB®) - are recognised as evidence of the highest standards of knowledge, technical expertise, and professionalism the world over. Whilst the ISF® designation is suited for ESG and Sustainability practitioners who work in the field of finance (eg banking, insurance, micro finance, wealth management, accounting, treasury management), the ISB® designation is suited for ESG and Sustainability practitioners who work in all other non-finance related fields of business.
Each IASE designation recognizes 3 levels of proficiency. Thus, the levels represent a career progression path for ESG and sustainability practitioners with Level 1 representing Foundational Level, Level 2 representing Intermediate Level and Level 3 representing the Expert Level.
Methodology & Standards
IASE qualifications and designations are designed in consultation with experienced sector practitioners. All IASE qualifications are quality-assured and supported by relevant learning outcomes.
IASE designations are flexible, allowing you to create a learning pathway to suit your needs.
Only individuals who meet our internationally benchmarked 4-E certification standards are awarded these designations. Our 4-E standards include:
- Ethics (agree to abide by IASE’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility)
- Education (relevant qualification)
- Examination (pass a Professional Competency Exam/Board Exam set by IASE)
- Experience (pertinence to Sustainable Economy)
All our members are required to adhere to our Code of Ethics, a set of principles ensuring we maintain high standards of integrity, probity and ethical fair dealing.
Ethics are a cornerstone of professionalism, and ethical behaviour is crucial to secure public trust and confidence in the profession and to build a reputation which people value. Failure to comply with the Code may result in disciplinary action against the member and risk adverse publicity for the member and their organisation
After successfully meeting the 4E standards above and being awarded either of these designations, holders must also demonstrate annually that they meet the following additional professional requirements:
- Continuous Professional Development (commitment to lifelong learning)
- Continued adherence to IASE’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
IASE Code of Ethics
Professional IASE certificate holders fulfill a number of important functions in all the sectors: on the basis of high-quality training and designations, as well as of widely accepted codes of professional conduct, our organization can build on a solid foundation of ethical behaviour, competence and technical skills in all the markets. A central goal of IASE is to promote the development and dissemination of such international professional standards in order to contribute towards the highest level of quality in the professional practice of ESG matters.
IASE is convinced that every ESG certificate holder is defined by two main features: professional integrity and professional designations. Ethics and skills are the two dimensions by which every ESG professional should be measured. After all, potential clients must be able to trust the integrated International ESG market and its major actors.
The IASE Principles seek to ensure the highest ethical conduct of its certificate holders. Primarily, these principles are directed at IASE certificate holders, but they also aim at setting standards for everyone in the profession, thus contributing to the integrity of International ESG markets as a whole.
IASE is best equipped to provide its members and any other person in the profession with the acquisition of the necessary skills to provide appropriate advice to clients. The diversity of national and regional approaches in different societies is aimed at enriching the profession and creating a cross-fertilization of ideas; while the approach to ethical conduct tends to become standard across all nations and across all markets, a number of details still remain subject to local laws and customs. All certificate holders must comply with the following Code of Ethics according to the IASE Qualification Standards. In cases where the Code of Ethics is broken the Ethics Committee of each country has the right to suspend or withdraw the certification which will have the effect of disallowing the individual to advertise that he/she is an IASE member.
Fundamental Principles & Key Principles which have been defined as standards that each national association is recommended to adopt for its members so as to give practical effect to each Specific Fundamental Principle.
IASE Exams
We are all living in a dynamic world where needs and professional profiles are continuously changing. We work closely with the industry in order to adapt our syllabus to market needs.
Professionalism begins with designations
IASE designations cater for all levels of knowledge and experience, from new entrants through to seasoned professionals.
Quality assured learning
IASE designations are designed in consultation with experienced sector practitioners and academia. This means IASE designations are quality assured and supported by relevant learning outcomes.
Flexibility to suit your needs
IASE designations are flexible, allowing you to create a learning pathway to suit your needs – whether you’re looking to apply learning to your existing role or towards your career aspirations.
Education
To be awarded either of IASE’s INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE FINANCE® (ISF®) and INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS® (ISB®) designations, the aspirant for the level 1 must have at least a high school diploma qualification.
Study Material and Training
Whilst it is not a requirement, the IASE encourage learners who do not already have an ESG specific qualification to consider taking up our ESG Qualifications Course as this would help ensure a solid grounding before attempting the IASE Professional Competency Examination (PCE). Aspirants should enquire about the IASE endorsed ESG Qualifications Course/s with their local IASE Member.
Examination
To be awarded either of IASE’s coveted ISF® and ISB® professional designations, the aspirant must write and pass IASE’s Professional Competency Examination (commonly called PCE or “Board Exam”).
General information on the Advisory Level ISF® & ISB® Board Exam:
- Registrations can be done through the IASE website
- Registration cutoff date for March 2023 Level Advisor I IASE Board Exams: March 9th.
- Registration cutoff date for April 2023 Level Specialist II IASE Board Exams: April 13th.
- Examination fees may be obtained from the IASE Member licensed to represent IASE in the aspirant’s geographical area.
- IASE Certification Fee is 150 € + VAT for Level Advisor I.IASE Certification Fee is 225 € + VAT for Specialist Level II. [CERTIFICATION SERVICES are charged with TAXES].
- IASE Training Programs for ISF ® and ISB ® level I are offered by Exponential Education at 500 € [NO VAT applied for TRAINING SERVICES].
- Verifications of identity, qualification criteria, payments etc. will be done through a blend of facial recognition technology and the local IASE Member/affiliate in the aspirant’s geographical area prior to being allowed entrance to the Board Exams.
- Sittings for IASE next Level Advisor I Board Exams: 16th-17th March 2023 (9:00 and 16:00 CET daily).
- Sittings for IASE next Level Specialist II Board Exams: 20th-21st April 2023 (9:00 and 16:00 CET daily).
- It is the aspirant’s responsibility to ensure that he/she is aware of the date, time and place of his/her examination.
- An aspirant may withdraw from an exam before starting the exam. In such cases their examination fee will be carried forward to a future date. Arrangements relating to special needs or illness during an exam can be made through contacting the regional IASE Member body. IASE Examination Terms & Conditions section below for more information. Link to Terms & Conditions
- All IASE Board Examinations are delivered online only.
- Aspirants have the flexibility to take the Board Exam from anywhere in the world.
- Level Advisor I Exam format: Closed book; 40 multiple-choice questions (MCQ); 4 options per question, with only one correct answer; 60 minutes allowed to complete all Advisory Level Board Exams; Pass mark 60% (24 correct answers, or more).
- Level Specialist II Exam format: Closed book; 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQ); 4 options per question, with only one correct answer; 90 minutes allowed to complete all Specialist Level Board Exams; Pass mark 70% (35 correct answers, or more).
- Languages available: English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish. Others upon request.
- Marking of examinations are done electronically prior to being sent to a Board of Examiners for final approval.
- Results will be formally communicated via an online basis directly to individual aspirants only. Results will only be communicated to third parties if proof of consent from individual aspirants can be produced.
- Within a period of 10 working days after results were issued, aspirants will have the opportunity to request a Remark/Revimarkew, or Appeal question/s. See IASE Examination Terms & Conditions section below for more information. Link to Terms & Conditions
Education Programme information and schedule
Full details are available on Educational provider site: ESG Exponential
Locations
IASE works to develop these standards, certification requirements and body of knowledge so as to achieve commonality and harmony to the practice of the sustainability profession, even whilst recognizing country and regional specific differences.
IASE accomplishes its mission through partnership with the following affiliated member associations around the world:
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