Wharton ESG Essentials 

Program Experience

Highlights and Key Outcomes

In Wharton ESG Essentials, you will:

• Gain insight into what is meant by ESG integration and how it is implemented through a review of the history of the movement
• Explore changing patterns in corporate and stakeholder activism
• Gain an understanding of the business case for and against engagement on socio-political issues
• Identify the key factors that help board members and shareholders actively monitor ESG risks and position firms to seize ESG opportunities
• Understand why business leaders should care about climate change by learning about what is needed to make a smooth transition to a net-zero economy, with corresponding risks and opportunities for business
• Dive deep into how social positioning informs the strategy and aligns with shifting societal expectations
• Familiarize yourself with how the global energy sector charted the roadmap to net zero, understanding climate risk disclosures

Experience and Impact

Wharton ESG Essentials will prepare leaders to analyze and evaluate the financial implications of ESG factors on their strategies. The program will walk you through a comprehensive view of the ESG landscape — from the movement’s values-based origins to its increasing focus on financial impact; from its data challenges and measurement issues to new measurement approaches and the broad array of investment and corporate strategies that deploy them.

Participants will acquire not just the analytical skillsets but also the communications playbook needed to effectively articulate the implications of ESG factors to key stakeholders — from competitive positioning to strategies leading change that will help accelerate the ESG traction in organizations.

The program will also look at rising social pressures on firms to address issues of concern to workers, customers, communities, and civil society more broadly. You will assess the efficacy of different corporate strategic responses, particularly as the political environment grows increasingly polarized. Additionally, you will evaluate the role that enterprise risk management, board governance, cross-functional teams, and leaders play in navigating the adoption, implementation, and measurement of firm-wide ESG policies.

Session topics include:

• Introduction to ESG
• Social Activism
• Governance
• Climate Transition

Wharton ESG Executive Certificate 
Participants may take Wharton ESG Essentials as a standalone program, or, for those interested in extending their learning journey, Wharton ESG Essentials serves as the introductory content in the Wharton ESG Executive Certificate. This advanced certificate program — offered in specialized tracks for financial professionals, senior leaders, and strategists, respectively — is designed to quickly catapult leaders to the forefront of ongoing ESG decision making.

Participants wishing to pursue an ESG executive certificate can learn more about each specialization and apply here. Participants who have completed Wharton ESG Essentials as a standalone program can apply for and enroll in a certificate track within one year of Essentials completion.

Convince Your Supervisor

Here’s a justification letter you can edit and send to your supervisor to help you make the case for attending this Wharton program.

Due to our application review period, applications submitted after 12:00 p.m. ET on Friday for programs beginning the following Monday may not be processed in time to grant admission. Applicants will be contacted by a member of our Client Relations Team to discuss options for future programs and dates.