The CFA Society of the UK has officially launched its certificate in environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing.
As reported by Insurance Asset Risk last year, the certificate will educate entrants to the investment profession about ESG and how to integrate it into the investment process. It will also offer the opportunity to those working in sustainability to see what ESG looks like from an investment professional's perspective.
The certificate was officially launched this week at the CFA Institute Annual Conference in London.
Will Goodhart, chief executive at CFA Society of the UK, said in a press conference, the qualification is estimated to require 130 hours of learning and will cost £470 ($610).
Asked by Insurance Asset Risk why create a new and independent qualification for ESG investing rather than integrate the topic into the current curricula, Goodhart said the CFA's Investment Management Certificate responded to a pre-defined regulatory need on the required skills of an investment manager.
"In a way the ESG Certificate preamps the move by regulators to mandate ESG," he continued, adding it was his conviction ESG would become mainstream and as such the two certificates could well blend in the future.
A pilot exam with professionals from firms including HSBC and Vanguard is scheduled to take place in early September, at which point general registration will open.
Some insurers' asset management affiliates are taking part in the pilot programme, but at this time the CFA Institute was not at liberty to disclose the firms.
The first official open sitting of the exam will be available from 1 December 2019.