Sustainable Investing Certificate career prospects
Alongside traditional financial returns, the sustainability and ethical impacts of investments are becoming key concerns for stakeholders. The ability to understand ESG factors and integrate them into your decision-making gives you a powerful advantage – whether you are an investment professional or working in adjacent sectors like law or HR.
Comparing the Sustainable Investing Certificate
Need help deciding which program of study will support your career goals? Discover how the Sustainable Investing Certificate compares to other qualifications around the world.
Country |
Qualification |
---|---|
USA |
Associate degree standard |
UK |
RQF Level 4 |
Canada |
OQF Level 7 |
India |
NSQF Level 6 |
Hong Kong |
HKQF Level 4 |
Singapore |
Singaporean Polytechnic Diploma standard |
Australia |
AQF Level 5 |
Brazil |
Curso Superior de Formação Especifíca |
China |
Preparatory Technician Certificate standard |
Japan |
Associate degree standard |
South Africa |
S.A. NQF Level 6 |
France |
NQF Level 4 |
ESG career paths
ESG Analyst
Sustainability Manager
ESG Specialist
ESG Product Manager
Head of ESG
Chief Sustainability Officer
Shareable credentials recognized anywhere
Earning the Sustainable Investing Certificate signals your expertise in sustainability and ethical investing worldwide. You'll also receive a digital badge you can share online to highlight your achievement and connect with a global community of professionals committed to responsible investing.

Valued by employers
Leading global financial institutions actively seek professionals with sustainable investing expertise, including:
- JPMorgan Chase
- UBS
- HSBC Holdings
- Ernst & Young
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Morningstar, Inc.
By earning this certification, you position yourself at the forefront of the investment industry's evolution toward sustainable finance and align with the priorities of its most influential players.
Frequently asked questions
After registering, you have six months to study the curriculum and complete the exam. We recommend studying 100+ hours before attempting the exam.
Prior knowledge of the investment process is helpful, but there are no prerequisites. This is a foundational certificate for anyone looking to improve their understanding of ESG issues.
The Sustainable Investing Certificate builds foundational knowledge and a broad understanding of the issues across topics including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate is an advanced certificate for anyone who already has foundational knowledge and skills in financial statement analysis and valuation. It teaches practical application of climate-related factors to conduct analysis, valuation, and portfolio construction.
For more than 75 years, CFA Institute has provided investment practitioners with the knowledge they need to advance their career. Our certificates are renowned globally as the gold standard so you can be confident our curriculum will give you the skills you need to stay ahead.
The Sustainable Investing Certificate provides holistic coverage of ESG Investing with a curriculum that is updated every year with the latest research and trends. Plus, with the self-paced format you can study on your own time and schedule the exam at a time that fits your schedule.
- Certificate - 1 exam
- Foundational level
- 100 hours to complete
- Self-paced online learning
- Learning materials included
- 20 PL Credits (2 SER)
