Is an ESG Certification Worth It? A Guide for Professionals and Businesses

Is an ESG Certification Worth It? A Guide for Professionals and Businesses

In today’s corporate landscape, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors play a crucial role in decision-making for investors, businesses, and professionals alike. With increasing regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations, many professionals are considering ESG certifications to advance their careers and help businesses align with sustainability goals.

But is an ESG certification worth it? Let’s explore its value, benefits, and how it can impact your professional growth and business success.

What is an ESG Certification?

An ESG certification is a credential that demonstrates expertise in environmental, social, and governance principles. It equips professionals with the knowledge to assess, implement, and manage ESG strategies within organizations. Some of the most recognized ESG certifications include:

• Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate – GARP

• Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA)

• Certificate in ESG Investing – CFA Institute

• Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) – SASB

• GRI Professional Certification – Global Reporting Initiative

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

These certifications cater to different industries, from finance to real estate and corporate sustainability.

Why is ESG Certification Important?

1. Rising Demand for ESG Expertise

Companies have dramatically increased hiring of ESG and sustainability professionals. The number of job postings with “sustainability” in the title jumped over 1,574% from 2020 to 2023. Global demand for workers with green skills grew 11.6% from 2023 to 2024, nearly double the supply, making ESG talent increasingly sought-after. In fact, LinkedIn data shows candidates with sustainability expertise are hired 54.6% more often than others, with even higher rates in the U.S.

Salary Growth: Due to the shortage of ESG professionals, salaries are rising significantly. ESG specialists earn 20% higher base salaries than their non-ESG peers, with salary growth in ESG roles outpacing non-ESG roles by 38 percentage points since 2019. In the finance sector, ESG professionals now earn an average of $110,348 vs. $90,283 for similar non-ESG roles.

2. ESG Certification Boosts Career Growth

An ESG certification enhances your credibility and marketability in sectors such as finance, corporate governance, sustainability, and risk management. It can lead to roles like:

• ESG Analyst

• Sustainability Consultant

• Responsible Investment Advisor

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager

• ESG Risk Specialist

Since 79-80% of global investors now integrate ESG criteria into investment strategies, ESG expertise is a valuable asset in today’s job market.

3. Business Benefits of ESG Certification

For businesses, having ESG-certified professionals provides:

• Enhanced risk management – Identifying and mitigating climate and social risks.

• Better stakeholder trust – Meeting investor and customer expectations on sustainability.

• Regulatory compliance – Adapting to ESG disclosure mandates, which now impact 50,000+ companies in the EU alone under new regulations.

• Stronger financial performance – ESG-focused companies outperformed traditional firms by an average of 4 percentage points in 2023.

Is ESG Certification Worth the Investment?

1. Cost vs. ROI

Most ESG certifications range from $500 to $3,000, but their benefits include:

• Higher salaries – ESG professionals earn up to 20-30% more than non-certified peers.

• Better job security – Demand for ESG talent continues to outpace supply.

• Business growth – ESG-aligned businesses attract investors and customers, increasing revenue.

2. Who Should Get ESG Certified?

• Finance professionals – Investment managers, risk analysts, and wealth advisors.

• Corporate leaders – Executives and decision-makers driving sustainability strategies.

• Consultants and auditors – Professionals advising companies on ESG compliance.

• HR and operations managers – Leaders implementing ESG-driven workplace policies.

• Entrepreneurs – Business owners looking to align with sustainability trends.

If your career or business is directly affected by ESG factors, certification is a worthwhile investment.

Financial Performance of ESG vs. Non-ESG Companies

Stock Market and Fund Performance

Sustainable investment funds worldwide had a median return of +12.6% in 2023, significantly outperforming the +8.6% median return of traditional funds. Sustainable equity funds had even higher gains, averaging 16.7% vs. 14.4% for conventional funds. Over five years, ESG funds generated a larger cumulative return than traditional investments, proving their long-term value.

Profitability and Business Performance

A study of 2,000+ companies found that in 62.6% of cases, strong ESG performance correlated with better financial outcomes, including higher profitability and lower risk. Additionally, McKinsey found that ESG leaders delivered 2 percentage points higher annual shareholder returns than competitors, proving that sustainability and profitability are closely linked.

Investor Confidence and Capital Flows

Investor interest in ESG remains high, with $30+ trillion in assets allocated to ESG-focused funds. More than 75% of investors now consider sustainability risks and opportunities in investment decisions. Sustainable investing has become a mainstream approach, showing that ESG factors are no longer optional but essential for financial success.

How to Choose the Right ESG Certification

Certification	Best For	Key Benefits
SCR – GARP	Risk managers, financial professionals	Focus on climate risk assessment
CESGA	ESG analysts, investors	Deep dive into ESG investing
CFA ESG Investing	Finance professionals, asset managers	ESG factors in portfolio management
FSA – SASB	Corporate professionals, accountants	Sustainability accounting & reporting
GRI Certification	Sustainability managers, CSR professionals	ESG reporting and disclosures
LEED Certification	Real estate, construction professionals	Green building and sustainability

Choosing the right ESG certification ensures maximum career and business impact.

Final Verdict: Should You Get ESG Certified?

Yes – if ESG principles are relevant to your profession or business.

• If you work in finance, sustainability, governance, or compliance, ESG certification enhances your expertise and opens new career opportunities.

• For businesses, having ESG-certified professionals strengthens risk management, compliance, and investor confidence.

• As ESG regulations evolve, early certification positions you ahead of the curve.

With the global push towards sustainable business practices, an ESG certification is a smart investment that can yield long-term benefits.