Governance & Compliance

ESG Governance and Board Oversight

Investors, regulators and society expect boards to oversee environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities. This course covers ESG governance: board responsibilities, integrating ESG into strategy and risk, ESG committees and management structures, metrics and targets, reporting and assurance, and avoiding greenwashing.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

ESG is now a core board responsibility, not a side project. You will learn how to govern ESG credibly.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Board case studies, governance structure workshops, disclosure analysis and greenwashing scenarios.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain ESG expectations of boards
Integrate ESG into strategy and risk oversight
Design ESG governance structures
Oversee ESG metrics and targets
Oversee ESG reporting and assurance
Avoid greenwashing and reputational risk

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Directors and board members
Company secretaries
Sustainability leaders
Senior executives
Governance professionals

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

ESG oversight
Strategic integration
Governance design
Disclosure oversight
Reputation management

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1ESG and Boards

09:00–10:08Stakeholder expectations
10:08–11:00Regulation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Regulation (continued)
11:45–12:53Board duties
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 2Strategy and Risk

09:00–10:08Material ESG issues
10:08–11:00Climate and social risks
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Climate and social risks (continued)
11:45–12:53Opportunities
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Governance Structures

09:00–10:08Committees
10:08–11:00Management roles
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Management roles (continued)
11:45–12:53Incentives
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Metrics and Reporting

09:00–10:08Targets and KPIs
10:08–11:00Reporting frameworks
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Reporting frameworks (continued)
11:45–12:53Assurance
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 5Credibility

09:00–10:08Greenwashing risks
10:08–11:00Stakeholder engagement
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Stakeholder engagement (continued)
11:45–12:53Board action plan
12:53–14:00Discussion

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.