Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) for Sustainable Leadership:

Training Guide

Overview
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) emerged in the 1980’s based on consumer concerns over
inadequate environmental practices by factories supplying products to U.S. and European
multinationals. Early CSR programs primarily focused on improved environmental management
through ISO14000 certifications. However, after non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and labor
groups uncovered cases of child labor and squalid working conditions, multinational corporations
developed codes of conduct for engaging with their suppliers. As a result, factories were forced to
improve working conditions and comply with these codes. CSR programs and standards have become
commonplace in the global consumer goods and food industry. These codes and initiatives have
highlighted the need for changes in the way firms measure their environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) practices. Building upon consumer demands for transparency, “ESG rating
providers and investment funds are working to integrate metrics aligned with environmental
resilience, climate risk mitigation, and strategies toward renewable energy among others” 1.

Approaches

This program engages employees in examining the range of environmental and social sustainability
challenges facing companies and how these are being addressed in practice. Training adopts a
problem-oriented approach. Participants will examine practical sustainability challenges in their
respective companies; and then consider how they can bridge the gap between policy and practice.
In each module, participants will examine the strengths and weaknesses of their firms through the
ESG lens. Participants will develop and modify pre-prepared templates and format to specifically
address practices in their own companies.

This syllabus presents the overall course objectives as well as the details for each module.

Training Objectives
1. To identify and analyze approaches used by organizations to adhere to international
sustainability norms and goals;
2. To gain insight into ways that companies can gain a broader perspective of their business
from civil society, consumers and producers;
3. To critically analyze the impacts of your organization through the ESG lens and assess the
opportunity for better management practices;
4. To develop a deeper awareness of the range of sustainability challenges faced by food
companies and society;
5. To analyze, plan, and execute a mission, vision and strategy for organizational
sustainability.

1
https://www.oecd.org/finance/ESG-Investing-Environmental-Pillar-Scoring-and-Reporting.pdf
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Learning Modes and Modules
This course will be delivered using a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous
(offline) e-learning activities. Participants will be expected to review pre-prepared guidance
documents, policies, procedures and forms prior to meetings with the trainer. The instructor will
then use ‘live online class time’ to review content, answer questions, and provide input. Live
class sessions will be conducted onsite and require key members of the sustainability team to
engage with the materials in their daily work.
Module 1. ESG Theory and Practice
This module will emphasize the interrelationships between consumption, production and the global
marketplace with a focus on the specific definitions of ESG; and how to apply them at the firm level.
Discussions will cover key components of ESG implementation with an emphasis on compliance and
the structures needed to support their sustainability commitments. Participants will investigate the
ethical basis of corporate social responsibility (CSR); and examine the ways it has been adapted to
different business contexts. Classroom activities and short films will help participants to
conceptualize they ways ESG can be adopted at the firm level.

Materials: PPT presentation, PDF and word

Module 2. ESG Commitments

This module focuses on policies and procedures at the firm level. After engaging in presentations and
discussions about factory sustainability practices, participants will examine existing procedures at
the firm level and determine how to better integrate them into daily operations. Responsible parties
will be assigned to review and analyze existing strengths, weaknesses and identify areas where
improvements are needed. The final product will be a set of ESG compliant policies and procedures.

Materials: PPT, company policy, procedures

Module 3. ESG strategies and implementation

This module focuses integrating procedures into practices (plan/do/check/act). After each ESG
related presentation, participants will examine the existing procedures at the firm level and determine
how to better integrate them into daily operations. Factory representatives will review existing
policies and procedures; redraft policies and add procedures where they are needed. Responsible
parties will be requested to modify and supplement procedures and policies in line with their
sustainability commitment.

Materials: PPT presentations, company policy, procedures,

Module 4. ESG: Monitoring and Record Keeping

This module focuses on monitoring ESG elements and utilizing recording systems. A checklist will
be used to identify system deficiencies and missing documentation for ESG compliance. Factory staff

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will be assigned to carry out key tasks and ensure procedures are implemented through written
records and documentation systems.

Materials: PPT presentations, company policy, procedures, checklists and forms

Module 5. ESG Self-Assessment

This module focuses on building the capacity of the firm to evaluate their own progress on ESG
indicators. After presentation on auditing methods and approaches, participants will utilize checklists
to evaluate progress and identify non-compliance with the ESG framework. Managers will reflect on
their ability to monitor and manage ESG indicators in daily operations. The results of these
assessments will be reviewed by management. Action plans will be created and key factory staff will
be assigned to carry out remediation efforts.

Materials: PPT, company policy, procedures, audit checklists

G.1 Governance
G.1 Benefits of ESG Implementation Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.1.1 Management Systems Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.1.2 Business Ethics Part I Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.1.3 Business Ethics Part II Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.2 Training and Development Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.2.1 Introduction to Factory Improvement Tools FIT self-learning PPT slides
(FIT) with facilitator
G.2.2 FIT Slide Deck FIT self-learning PDF
with facilitator worksheet
G.3.3 Supply Chain Management Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.3.4 Sustainable Packaging and Design Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.4 Transparency and Corruption Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.5.1 Economic Sustainability Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
G.5.2 Innovation Management Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity

S.1 Social
S.1.1 General Labor Standards_SA8000 Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
S.1.2 Welfare Facilities Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity

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S.1.3 Workplace Rights Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
S.1.4 Human Resources and Recruitment FIT self-learning PDF
with facilitator worksheet
S.2.1 Health and Safety Overview Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
S.2.2 Identifying Safety Hazards and Risks Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
S.3 Health and Safety Orientation for Workers Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
S.4.1 Dealing with sexual harassment I - Raising FIT self-learning PDF
awareness with facilitator worksheet
S.4.2 Dealing with sexual harassment II - Preventing FIT self-learning PDF
and addressing with facilitator worksheet
S.4.3 Inclusive factory practices FIT self-learning PDF
with facilitator worksheet
S.5 Product Safety Standards Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
S.6.1 Customer Relations Management Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
S.6.2 Building Customer Relations Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
S.7 CSR and Community Outreach Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity

E.1 Environment
E.1.1 Energy Treasure Hunt (U.S. Department of Facilitation and PPT slides,
Energy) activities word, excel
E.1.2 Cleaner production 1: Reducing resource use FIT self-learning PDF work
with facilitator sheet
E.2; E3 Cleaner production 2: Reducing waste and FIT self-learning PDF work
pollution with facilitator sheet
E.4 Environmental Pollution Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
E.5 Sustainable Procurement Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
E.6.1 Material Productivity Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
E.6.2 Eco-design Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity
E.7; E8 Climate and Ecosystems Lecture, discuss, PPT slides
activity

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