Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between CSR, Sustainability, and the broader concept of **ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)**.
• Conduct a **Materiality Assessment** to prioritize the most relevant ESG issues for the organization and stakeholders.
• Develop and integrate an authentic CSR strategy that aligns with core business goals and values.
• Master the use of global reporting frameworks (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD) for non-financial performance.
• Craft compelling and transparent communication narratives for CSR/ESG initiatives to avoid accusations of "greenwashing."
• Identify and engage key stakeholders (e.g., investors, activists, employees) on sustainability topics.
• Utilize digital and social media to communicate impact and drive community engagement for CSR programs.
• Measure and evaluate the actual impact of CSR programs and report results to management and the public.

• CSR, Sustainability, and ESG Managers
• Public Relations and Corporate Communications Professionals
• Investor Relations and Financial Communications Staff
• Brand Managers and Marketing Leaders
• Government Relations and Public Affairs Specialists

• Group Materiality Assessment and Strategy Alignment Workshop
• Case Studies on Successful and Failed CSR Communication (Greenwashing Scandals)
• Individual Exercise: Drafting a Section of an Annual Sustainability Report (GRI/SASB-aligned)
• Role-Playing Stakeholder Dialogue with an Activist Group or Investor
• Discussions on the Ethics of Corporate Purpose and Societal Responsibility

Unit 1: Foundations of CSR and ESG

• Defining the evolution from traditional philanthropy to integrated ESG strategy.
• The business case for CSR: risk mitigation, talent retention, and financial performance.
• Understanding the "Social" and "Governance" components of ESG beyond the environmental focus.
• Analyzing stakeholder demands for authenticity and transparency in corporate citizenship.
• The role of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global framework.

Unit 2: Materiality and Strategy Integration

• Conducting a **Materiality Assessment** to determine the most relevant ESG issues for the company.
• Aligning CSR initiatives with core business competencies and competitive advantages.
• Developing clear, measurable, and time-bound CSR/ESG goals and commitments.
• Integrating sustainability considerations into supply chain management and product design.
• Establishing internal governance and accountability for ESG performance and reporting.

Unit 3: Reporting and Disclosure Frameworks

• Overview of major global reporting standards: **GRI, SASB, and TCFD**.
• Techniques for gathering and assuring reliable non-financial performance data.
• Structuring and drafting the annual **Sustainability Report** and integrated financial report.
• Managing investor relations communication regarding ESG performance and metrics.
• Navigating regulatory and legal requirements for ESG disclosure.

Unit 4: Communication and Greenwashing Mitigation

• Crafting transparent, evidence-based narratives that focus on impact, not just effort.
• Identifying and avoiding the pitfalls and accusations of **"Greenwashing"** and tokenism.
• Strategies for communicating complex, long-term sustainability goals to a skeptical public.
• Utilizing digital channels (websites, social media) to share progress and engage with stakeholders.
• Managing internal communication to drive employee engagement and commitment to CSR goals.

Unit 5: Stakeholder Engagement and Impact Measurement

• Developing a structured plan for continuous dialogue with activist groups and community leaders.
• Measuring the social and environmental **Impact** of CSR programs (quantitative and qualitative).
• Integrating stakeholder feedback into the continuous improvement of the ESG strategy.
• The role of third-party certifications and ratings (e.g., CDP, MSCI) in communication.
• Preparing for and responding to ESG-related media and activist scrutiny.