Author: Nicholas Blain

On April 8, 2025, CFA Institute announced the renaming of its Certificate in ESG Investing to the Sustainable Investing Certificate. This change reflects the evolving landscape of responsible investing and aims to represent more accurately the objectives of the certificate.

Why the Name Change?

Since its inception, the concept of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing has undergone significant evolution, with interpretations varying across different markets. The term sustainable investing encompasses the broader, long-term impact and investment goals that the certificate intends to support.

Impact on the Curriculum

Despite the name change, the curriculum remains unchanged. It continues to cover key environmental, social and governance factors, equipping investment professionals with the necessary knowledge to integrate sustainability considerations into their decision-making processes.

Implications for Current and Prospective Candidates

• Current Candidates: Those who enrolled in the Certificate in ESG Investing before 31 December 2024 will see no change in their candidate journey. Both the Learning Ecosystem (LES) and the exam itself will continue to use the previous name. Once they have passed the exam, their digital badge will show the new name.

• Newer Candidates: Individuals who have registered since 1 January 2025 will notice the updated certificate name in the LES and all communications from CFA Institute. Their digital credentials will also use the new name once they have achieved the certificate.

What about existing certificate holders? If you already hold the Certificate in ESG Investing then the name will remain unchanged by default. If you would like to update the name then this option is available via your own digital badge on LinkedIn.

Conclusion

The renaming of the Certificate in ESG Investing to the Sustainable Investing Certificate signifies the commitment of CFA Institute to staying aligned with the dynamic field of responsible investing. This update ensures that the certification accurately represents its mission to promote long-term, sustainable investment practices globally.