ESG
ESG Peer Benchmarking
How consultants assess and compare ESG performance across companies
About this course
Why this course exists
A practitioner-focused course on ESG peer benchmarking from a consultant's perspective. Covers leading rating methodologies from MSCI and Sustainalytics, the CDP scoring system, GRI reporting standards, and the full suite of environmental, social and governance KPIs used to compare companies against their peers. Includes guidance on defining peer groups, collecting data, and presenting findings to clients.
What you will learn
After this course you will be able to
- Decode how MSCI, Sustainalytics, and S&P Global construct their ESG scores
- Normalize peer ESG performance data across different rating methodologies
- Identify the gaps in your own ESG profile relative to peers in your sector
- Brief executives on what an ESG rating actually means and what to do about it
Course content
6 modules · 15 lessons
Walk through the modules in order or jump to a specific lesson. Each lesson is a real chapter you can open and start reading immediately.
Module 1·2 lessons
Foundations of ESG Benchmarking
Why benchmarking matters and how to frame the work
Module 2·3 lessons
MSCI ESG Ratings
3 pillars, 33 key issues, and an industry-adjusted final score
Module 3·3 lessons
Sustainalytics ESG Risk Ratings
Unmanaged risk, exposure, management and the MEI framework
- 2.15 min read
The Unmanaged Risk Concept and Material ESG Issues
Sustainalytics ESG Risk Ratings v3.1.1 - Introduction, Building Block 1
- 2.24 min read
Exposure Dimension: Subindustry and Beta Factors
Sustainalytics ESG Risk Ratings v3.1.1 - First Dimension: Exposure
- 2.34 min read
Management Dimension and Risk Categories
Sustainalytics ESG Risk Ratings v3.1.1 - Second Dimension: Management; Calculating the ESG Risk Ratings
Module 4·2 lessons
CDP and GRI in Peer Benchmarking
How CDP scores and GRI disclosures feed into peer analysis
Module 5·3 lessons
ESG KPIs for Peer Benchmarking
The metrics consultants compare across companies
- 4.15 min read
Environmental KPIs: Carbon, Energy, Water and Waste
MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology Section 3.1 (Climate Change, Natural Capital, Pollution themes); Sustainalytics MEIs (Carbon, Water, Emissions)
- 4.25 min read
Social KPIs: Workforce, Safety and Supply Chain
MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology Section 3.1 (Human Capital, Product Liability themes); Sustainalytics MEIs (Human Capital, OHS, Human Rights)
- 4.35 min read
Governance KPIs: Board, Pay, Ethics and Tax
MSCI ESG Ratings Methodology Sections 3.4, 3.5 (Corporate Governance, Corporate Behavior); Sustainalytics Building Block 2
Module 6·2 lessons
Running a Peer Benchmarking Engagement
From scoping to client presentation
Continue your path
This course is part of 1 curated path
Each path is a sequence of five courses designed to take a practitioner from first principles to defensible output. Pick one to see where this course fits.