The learning challenge for sustainable investment skills
Sustainability skills are a top learning requirement for investment managers, according to CFA Institute’s conversations with talent development teams across the industry.
The evolution of sustainable investing and the new opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI) are driving demand for more sophisticated skillsets in investment management.
In discussions with CFA Institute’s business development team last year, employers told us that the skills related to all aspects of sustainability and climate investing were among their top learning requirements.
They are also among the most challenging. As highlighted by the organizations we spoke to, sustainability-related roles in finance today demand a complex combination of technical and human skills – as well as an ability to leverage AI for analytical power.
Our discussions indicated that staff in these positions need an understanding of financial, sustainability, and risk topics, as well as skills in data analysis. At the same time, communication skills are needed to explain complex concepts and to help engage stakeholders in initiatives that often span many different functions and so need careful co-ordination.
Companies said they want practical tools in areas such as climate risk and impact investing, reflecting how the topic is no longer an optional interest today but is instead an operational imperative.[
Why AI is an essential skill
According to the insights gathered by our business development team, sustainable investment roles increasingly require expertise in data analysis to help process and make sense of the ever-growing quantity of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data that exists today.
Data analytics is being transformed by the rapid evolution of AI models and the development of agentic AI. Employers told us that they saw sustainable finance and AI as complementary, enabling advanced analytics to assess the impact of investments on sustainability goals as well as enhancing decision-making through insights into ESG factors.
In this way AI can help organizations make informed investment choices that align with sustainability objectives.
Addressing the skills gap
Our discussions with employers highlighted the potential for collaboration between the public and private sectors in upskilling workforces in sustainability fields. Joint training programs, workshops, internships and placements can all promote knowledge-sharing.
Formal public-private partnerships can also help develop relevant educational curricula to ensure that future professionals have the necessary knowledge and skills.
One example of the way in which government can help support upskilling is Hong Kong’s Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme, a subsidy initiative that supports students and professionals who want to develop their knowledge in the area of sustainable finance.
CFA Institute Sustainable Investing Certificate, and Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate, and Principles of Sustainable Investing Certificate (Chinese) are eligible under the Scheme.
Walking the talk
There is also much that companies can do within their own organizations. Examples from our discussions with firms included offering ESG training programs, certifications, and professional development opportunities. Staff can also be rewarded financially or in other ways to incentivize them to engage with learning opportunities.
But companies also stressed the importance of fostering a culture that not only encouraged innovation and learning but also valued sustainability itself. Demonstrating the importance of sustainability across the entire organization can encourage employees to enhance their skills in this critical area.
This article is part of our series featuring insights from investment management firms on transforming L&D strategies. Discover how industry leaders are tackling talent development challenges and building capabilities for the future.
You may also be interested in
06 Mar 2026
What employers want: A new skills blueprint
Explore our programs and certificates
CFA Institute offers a diverse range of programs and certificates designed to meet the needs of finance professionals across various career stages and specializations.
