Educational Accreditation Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

This Accreditation Policy sets out the principles, criteria, process, and governance framework that The ESG Institute applies when evaluating applications for educational accreditation. It applies to all applicants seeking accreditation as a Professional Trainer, Training Institution, accredited Programme, or accredited Event.

This Policy should be read alongside the Accredited Party Code of Conduct, which governs the ongoing obligations of all accredited parties once accreditation has been granted. In the event of any conflict between the two documents, this Policy takes precedence on matters of process, and the Code of Conduct takes precedence on matters of conduct.

The ESG Institute reserves the right to amend this Policy at any time. Accredited parties and applicants will be notified of material changes and are responsible for complying with the latest version.

2. Accreditation Categories

The ESG Institute offers accreditation across four categories:

Professional Trainer: Individual sustainability professionals seeking recognition of their expertise and delivery capability.

Training Institution: Organisations delivering sustainability education, including private training providers, universities, NGOs, and public sector bodies.

Programme: Individual courses, diplomas, certificates, or learning pathways submitted for accreditation on a per-programme basis.

Event: Conferences, summits, webinars, and other professional gatherings focused on sustainability, ESG, or related fields.

3. Eligibility

To be eligible for accreditation, applicants must meet the minimum requirements for their category as set out in this section. The ESG Institute reserves the right to update eligibility requirements from time to time, and the current requirements at the time of application will apply.

Professional Trainer: Applicants must hold at least one recognised qualification in sustainability, environmental science, social impact, governance, or a closely related field, and must be able to demonstrate a minimum of two recent training engagements.

Training Institution: Applicants must be a legally constituted entity with an active programme of sustainability education and a demonstrable track record of delivery.

Programme: The programme must be structured around defined learning objectives, include assessment of learner outcomes, and address one or more substantive areas of sustainability, ESG, or related disciplines.

Event: The event must have a clear sustainability or ESG focus, a defined audience of professionals or learners, and a programme of content that meets a standard of educational or professional value.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements at the time of application will be notified and may reapply once the requirements are met.

4. Discretionary Waivers

The ESG Institute recognises that eligibility criteria may not capture the full range of competence, experience, and capability that a candidate or organisation brings to sustainability education. Accordingly, The ESG Institute reserves the right to waive one or more eligibility requirements at its sole discretion where it is satisfied that the applicant demonstrates sufficient alternative evidence of fitness for accreditation.

A waiver may be granted where, for example, an applicant does not hold a formal qualification in the required field but has demonstrated equivalent knowledge and capability through professional experience, published work, industry recognition, or other substantive evidence. Similarly, a waiver may be granted where an applicant does not meet a minimum experience threshold but has demonstrated exceptional competence in a relevant area.

Waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis and do not set a precedent for future applications. The granting of a waiver in respect of one requirement does not affect the applicant's obligation to meet all other applicable requirements. Where a waiver is granted, The ESG Institute will note this in the accreditation record and may attach conditions to the accreditation as it considers appropriate.

Applicants who believe they may qualify for a discretionary waiver are encouraged to contact the accreditation team at team@the-esg-institute.org before submitting their application to discuss their circumstances.

5. Application Process

Applications are submitted through the online application form available at www.the-esg-institute.org/educational-accreditation. There is no application fee. Applicants are required to submit all requested information and supporting documentation at the time of application. Incomplete applications will not be progressed until all required materials have been received.

The ESG Institute aims to complete the full accreditation evaluation within 48 hours of receipt of a complete application. This timeline applies to standard applications. Complex or large-scale applications, such as those involving multiple programmes or significant volumes of supporting documentation, may require additional time, in which case the applicant will be notified.

6. Evaluation Criteria

All applications are evaluated by The ESG Institute's internal accreditation team against the criteria set out below. The ESG Institute does not use external or independent evaluators for this purpose.

Applications are assessed across the following dimensions, weighted according to category:

Content quality and accuracy: The extent to which the programme, trainer, or event content is accurate, evidence-based, current, and free from misleading or unsubstantiated claims.

Learning design and outcomes: The clarity and measurability of learning objectives, the appropriateness of assessment methods, and the alignment between content, activities, and outcomes.

Trainer or facilitator competence: The qualifications, experience, and continuing professional development of the individuals delivering the programme or event.

Inclusion and accessibility: The extent to which the programme or event is designed to be accessible and inclusive across diverse learner groups.

ESG and sustainability alignment: The degree to which the content reflects current ESG frameworks, international standards, and regulatory developments relevant to the subject matter.

Ethical and professional standards: Compliance with the principles set out in the Accredited Party Code of Conduct, including integrity, transparency, and the avoidance of greenwashing.

The ESG Institute may request additional information or clarification from an applicant during the evaluation process. The evaluation timeline will pause while additional information is awaited and resume upon receipt.

7. Accreditation Decisions

Following evaluation, The ESG Institute will issue one of the following decisions:

Accredited: The application meets the required standards and accreditation is granted. The applicant will receive written confirmation, an accreditation certificate, and access to The ESG Institute's accreditation badge and designation in accordance with the Accredited Party Code of Conduct.

Accredited with conditions: The application meets the required standards in most areas but requires specific improvements before full accreditation is confirmed. The applicant will be given a defined period to address the conditions identified, after which a final decision will be issued.

Not accredited: The application does not meet the required standards. The applicant will receive written feedback explaining the reasons for the decision and the areas where the application fell short. Applicants may reapply after addressing the identified gaps, subject to the reapplication provisions in section 9.

The ESG Institute's decision on accreditation is made at its sole discretion and reflects its assessment of the application against the criteria in this Policy. The ESG Institute is not obliged to grant accreditation to any applicant.

8. Written Feedback on Refusal

Where an application is not accredited, The ESG Institute will provide written feedback within 5 business days of the decision. The feedback will set out the principal reasons for the decision and identify the specific areas where the application did not meet the required standards. Feedback is provided to support improvement and future reapplication and does not constitute an obligation on The ESG Institute to accredit the applicant in any subsequent cycle.

9. Reapplication

Applicants whose applications are not accredited may reapply at any time after addressing the gaps identified in the written feedback. There is no mandatory waiting period, though The ESG Institute recommends that applicants allow sufficient time to make meaningful improvements before reapplying. Reapplications are assessed on the same basis as original applications.

10. Accreditation Period and Renewal

Accreditation is granted for the period set out in the accreditation confirmation issued to the applicant. Accredited parties wishing to renew their accreditation must submit a renewal application no later than 90 days before the expiry of their current accreditation. Renewal applications are assessed against the criteria and requirements in force at the time of renewal, which may differ from those that applied at the time of the original application.

Accreditation that lapses due to non-renewal must be reinstated through a new application.

11. Suspension and Revocation

The ESG Institute may suspend or revoke accreditation at any time where an accredited party is found to be in breach of the Accredited Party Code of Conduct, where information provided in the application is found to be inaccurate or misleading, or where the accredited party's conduct brings or risks bringing The ESG Institute into disrepute.

The process for investigation, suspension, and revocation is set out in the Accredited Party Code of Conduct. An accredited party whose accreditation is revoked may not reapply for a period of 12 months from the date of revocation.

12. Appeals

Applicants who wish to challenge an accreditation decision may submit a written appeal to team@the-esg-institute.org within 10 business days of receiving the decision. The appeal must set out the grounds on which the applicant believes the decision was incorrect and include any supporting evidence. Appeals will be reviewed by a member of The ESG Institute's leadership team who was not involved in the original evaluation. A decision on the appeal will be issued within 20 business days of receipt. The outcome of the appeal is final.

13. Fees

Current accreditation fees are published at www.the-esg-institute.org/pricing. There is no fee to submit an application. Fees become payable upon the granting of accreditation and are due annually in advance. The ESG Institute reserves the right to update its fee structure from time to time. Changes to fees will not affect accreditation already granted within a paid period.

14. Brand Usage

The use of The ESG Institute's accreditation badge, logo, and designation is governed by The ESG Institute's Brand Usage Policy, which is provided to accredited parties upon the granting of accreditation. Any use of The ESG Institute's branding outside the terms of the Brand Usage Policy requires prior written approval from The ESG Institute. The ESG Institute reserves the right to withdraw permission to use its branding at any time where the Brand Usage Policy is not being followed.

15. Contact

For any questions about the accreditation process or this Policy, please contact the accreditation team at team@the-esg-institute.org or visit www.the-esg-institute.org/educational-accreditation.

Note: This Educational Accreditation Policy may be amended by The ESG Institute at any time. Accredited Parties will be notified of material changes and are responsible for complying with the latest version.

Last updated: 18th August 2026