Advisors & Trainers FAQs

The ESG Institute was founded by sustainability professionals who shared a belief that organisations of every size should be able to access practical sustainability knowledge, tools and support. Our mission is to make sustainability more accessible and actionable, translating global frameworks into practical local impact and helping organisations embed responsible practices into strategy, culture and day-to-day decisions.

Our work includes ESG advisory, sustainability strategy, training and capacity building, regulatory readiness, stakeholder engagement, reporting alignment and impact measurement. We support clients across frameworks and requirements including CSRD, ESRS, GRI, ISSB and related sustainability standards.

We work with a global client base that includes corporations, SMEs, NGOs, academic institutions, financial services organisations, international development agencies and public-sector entities. Our work spans sectors such as finance, technology, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, hospitality and others, with both local and cross-border assignments.

The ESG Institute operates as a mission-driven professional services and education organisation. Revenue is generated mainly through advisory assignments, corporate training, regulatory support and related consulting work. We also collaborate with selected third-party sustainability solution providers, which can create referral opportunities for the Institute and, where applicable, for professionals who introduce relevant solutions to clients.

Our focus remains sustainability advisory, education and practical solutions rather than unrelated commercial activity.

No. This is a freelance, project-based opportunity. We engage advisors and trainers when assignments match their expertise and availability. There is no fixed minimum or maximum number of hours, so you can combine your involvement with other professional commitments.

Generally, no. You manage your own schedule unless a specific assignment requires a live client session, meeting or delivery at an agreed time. We expect timely communication and delivery against agreed milestones, while allowing professionals flexibility in how they organise their work.

Yes. We welcome professionals who specialise in consulting, training or both. Your involvement can reflect your interests, experience and availability.

Yes. Many members of our expert panel have other employment or consulting commitments. You are responsible for ensuring that joining the network and accepting freelance assignments is compatible with your employment contract, independence requirements and employer policies.

If approval is required, we recommend speaking with your HR, risk or compliance team before engaging in assignments. Joining the panel does not oblige you to accept work, and we can provide reasonable supporting information where your employer needs clarification.

You become part of a global panel of experts. When advisory, training or content opportunities arise, we identify professionals whose expertise and profile align with the assignment. You can then accept or decline the opportunity depending on fit, interest and availability.

Each assignment has a coordinator or point of contact, with an agreed scope, milestones and deliverables. Depending on the project, you may work independently or as part of a small team. Collaboration is normally virtual, with an emphasis on flexibility, accountability and responsiveness.

Yes. Our freelance model is designed to coexist with other employment, academic roles and independent consulting work. You must manage any conflicts of interest, comply with your employer's outside-work rules and ensure you can meet the requirements of any assignment you choose to accept.

Compensation is agreed on a project-by-project basis and can be structured as an hourly, daily or fixed fee depending on the assignment. We do not offer a fixed salary or retainer for panel membership. Financial terms are communicated and agreed before work begins and reflect the scope, complexity, duration and level of expertise required.

Yes. The ESG Institute operates on a remote-first basis and our advisors and trainers are based around the world. Some assignments may include optional or client-required in-person sessions, meetings or speaking opportunities depending on location and project needs.

Yes. Professionals joining the panel sign an agreement with The ESG Institute covering matters such as the working relationship, confidentiality, payment terms and other relevant legal provisions. Individual assignments can then be documented through an appropriate Statement of Work or equivalent project terms.

We look for professionals with a strong track record in ESG, sustainability or related disciplines, typically with at least five years of relevant experience. Familiarity with frameworks and requirements such as CSRD, ESRS, GRI, ISSB and TCFD is valuable, alongside strong communication skills, collaboration and the ability to work independently.

Our work spans areas such as ESG strategy, reporting, compliance, sustainable finance, AI, biodiversity, circular economy and stakeholder engagement. Training formats include live sessions, recorded learning, executive briefings and certification programmes.

Panel members are encouraged to contribute ideas, co-develop content, update materials and propose tools, case studies and new learning topics where these align with the Institute's work.

No. There is no minimum project volume. You can accept only the assignments that match your interests and availability.

Typical activities include advising clients on ESG and sustainability strategy, delivering training, contributing to content and tools, and supporting assessments, reporting or other project work. Responsibilities depend on the assignment and are aligned to each professional's expertise and profile.

Project flow varies with client demand, seasonality and your area of expertise. Some periods may generate more opportunities than others. There is no guaranteed workload and no minimum participation requirement.

Advisors work as independent professionals or contractors rather than employees and are responsible for their own tax registration, filings, social security and any applicable VAT, GST or similar obligations in their jurisdiction. Payments are normally made against an invoice issued by the advisor or their legal entity.

For cross-border work, standard tax documentation such as a tax residency certificate may be requested where necessary. The Institute does not operate payroll or withholding arrangements except where legally required, and advisors should obtain local professional advice where appropriate.

Once accepted, you receive onboarding information covering our mission, services, expectations and ways of working, together with relevant templates, guides and collaboration tools. We also support knowledge sharing through internal briefings and community activities where appropriate.

Matching is based on the needs of the assignment and can include subject matter expertise, sector knowledge, regional experience, language capability and availability. The objective is to align the right expertise with the client's requirements.

Panel members can access an internal portal where selected opportunities are posted, and we also contact professionals directly by email where a project closely matches their profile. You can express interest through the portal or respond to direct invitations. The volume and frequency of opportunities depend on client demand and fit.

Yes. While the relationship begins on a freelance, project-based basis, professionals who demonstrate strong delivery, leadership and alignment with our mission may become involved in broader roles over time, including regional leadership, course development, strategic advisory and content or solutions co-creation.

Yes. We welcome ideas for training topics, partnerships, research initiatives, events and other activities that align with The ESG Institute's mission and areas of work.

No. Business development is not a mandatory requirement of joining the panel. We do, however, welcome appropriate referrals and introductions from professionals who wish to help expand the Institute's reach and create new opportunities across the network.

After selection, we generally aim to complete the core onboarding steps within one to two weeks, including agreements, welcome materials and access to relevant network resources. The timing of the first project opportunity will depend on client demand and alignment with your expertise.

Yes. If you operate through your own company or consultancy, the agreement can normally be entered into with that legal entity. We will need the relevant legal name, registered address and any applicable registration or VAT details. If you work independently without a company, the agreement can instead be prepared in your personal name.

Yes. We encourage continuous professional development through internal briefings, resources and knowledge-sharing activities. Where relevant, professionals may also contribute to training materials, case studies and pilot work that helps deepen practical expertise.

No. The Introducer Agreement allows for introductions where relevant, but having existing contacts is not a condition of signing it. You may still join even if you do not currently have potential introductions to make.

Yes. Our work extends beyond private-sector advisory and includes collaboration with academic institutions, NGOs, multilateral organisations and public-sector entities on sustainability initiatives, training and capacity-building work. We also support region-specific sustainability and ESG priorities.

We aim to combine global alignment with local relevance. International frameworks provide an important reference point, but recommendations and delivery are adapted to the applicable regulatory environment, cultural context, stakeholder expectations and sustainability challenges in each market.

Rates are aligned to the scope, complexity, deliverables and level of seniority required for the assignment, with consideration of relevant market conditions and regional differences. Compensation is discussed transparently before a project is confirmed.

Payment is generally made in the currency specified for the relevant client engagement and documented in the Statement of Work. Where practical, we may be able to discuss payment currency with you before the assignment is confirmed.

Our service agreement is designed as a flexible, ongoing framework and is renewed annually. Either party can end or pause the relationship in accordance with the agreement. There is no obligation to undertake a fixed number of projects, and each assignment has its own scope, timeline and deliverables.

We monitor major sustainability and reporting developments, including changes affecting CSRD, ISSB standards, sustainable finance, climate disclosure and related regulatory frameworks. We also participate in professional networks and industry forums and update our services and learning content as the market evolves.

PII, also known in some markets as professional liability or errors and omissions insurance, protects professionals against certain claims arising from professional services.

At The ESG Institute, you are generally required to obtain appropriate PII when you are assigned to a project where it is needed. The required level of cover will depend on the assignment and client requirements. You may normally obtain cover from a reputable insurer in your jurisdiction.

No. Updating your LinkedIn profile is optional. We encourage panel members who are comfortable doing so to reflect their affiliation with The ESG Institute, as this can support professional visibility and strengthen recognition of the wider expert network.

Yes, provided there is no conflict of interest and you comply with your employer's requirements. You should not represent both your primary employer and The ESG Institute in the same engagement unless that has been expressly discussed and approved.

Institute materials, tools and confidential information must not be used in external roles without permission. If your other role involves similar consulting services, we ask for transparency so any potential overlap can be considered appropriately.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are important to how we build our network. Our panel includes professionals across five continents, with a wide range of professional backgrounds, cultures and lived experiences. We continue to encourage gender, regional and generational representation across the network.

We look beyond completion of project deliverables to the practical outcomes created through our work, such as stronger reporting, improved governance, better stakeholder engagement and more capable professionals. We aim for outcomes that are meaningful, measurable and connected to broader sustainability objectives.

We use virtual knowledge-sharing sessions, project updates and internal collaboration platforms to help panel members stay informed and connected. The format varies over time and by project, but our aim is to foster useful professional connection across regions and disciplines.