Udemy boosts ESG learning as CEOs seek sustainable fiscal advantages

As industries worldwide celebrate Earth Day, there is a resounding call for expanded sustainability and a push toward environmental, social, and governance (ESG) qualifications within businesses. The ramifications extend beyond mere planet preservation though, as CEOs are now identifying the long-term fiscal advantages of integrating ESG into their daily operations, with 74% fully committing to this incorporative approach according to a KPMG survey.

Presently Udemy, a global e-learning provider, is responding to this rising need by offering more than 280 ESG-related courses aimed at equipping organisations with a myriad of financial benefits, risk reduction capabilities, and enhanced reporting practices.

ESG's importance is soaring, and its ripple effects are far-reaching. With enhanced transparency around carbon emissions, employee policies, and board makeup, companies looking to strengthen their brand reputation while improving performance can achieve this through ESG considerations. McKinsey has reported that businesses coupling profitability with improved sustainability and ESG outperform their competitors and garner higher shareholder returns. However, the journey towards ESG integration also surfaces a predicament, as less than half of CFOs feel equipped with the necessary resources for dealing with the shifting reporting expectations.

According to Udemy's Global Learning & Skills Trends Report, ESG course consumption has witnessed a startling 3,128% increase year over year. This growth indicates a heightened demand for ESG courses which fortify critical skills while enhancing brand reputation, mitigating risks, and drawing in ESG-focused investors furthermore.

Beyond emotional satisfaction, ESG skills development serves as an informed business call associated with enhancing long-term fiscal performance. The KPMG survey discovered that 74% of CEOs had fully integrated ESG into their business practices for value creation, with 58% anticipating significant returns from their ESG investments within the next three to five years.

Udemy's 280+ ESG-related courses enable companies to establish long-term financial plans that not only reduce costs and drive growth but also build shareholder trust. These programmes also assist firms in understanding new reporting structures and requirements, thereby simplifying the identification of high-quality ESG measurement parameters. Moreover, these sessions help teams comprehend ESG's connection to financial returns and investor satisfaction through strategies fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces.

Consistent with its ESG course offering, Udemy has been given top rank in the Internet Software and Services sub-industry as rated by Sustainalytics, a Morningstar company, and a renowned ESG research, ratings, and data firm for the third consecutive year. In addition, the e-learning giant has made comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions calculations, thus exemplifying its commitment to sustainability alongside everyday business practices, aligned with global sustainability goals.

The significant increase in ESG course consumption and its subsequent financial benefits underscore the pivotal role of ESG skills in corporate success. It is a testament to how businesses, in the journey of becoming environmentally responsible, are leveraging these learning opportunities to create long-term value and sustainably reorient their ventures toward meeting evolving global demands.