KPMG, a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax and advisory services, in partnership with Microsoft and leading academic institutions, has announced the launch of KPMG ESG Academy.
This academy offers scalable Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) education through a technology-driven platform, using Microsoft tools like Microsoft 365, Azure, Teams, and Viva Learning. Learners can access ESG training seamlessly within their work routine.
The academy provides both foundational and advanced ESG courses, and it can function as a standalone virtual learning tool or integrate into existing corporate learning platforms. Its goal is to support organisations in their ESG initiatives by providing comprehensive education on a wide range of ESG topics and disciplines.
The course content
The KPMG ESG Academy provides ESG education with course content created by global ESG experts from prestigious universities and institutions.
It focuses on the latest business thought leadership in ESG topics and collaborates with KPMG sustainability professionals, offering learners valuable and up-to-date insights.
The Academy provides customisable and scalable ESG training for executives, mid-management, and non-management staff.
Clients can choose from basic, comprehensive, or advanced ESG courses on topics like circularity and risk. It combines business and academic expertise to offer tailored ESG learning, allowing a focus on specific industry sectors and roles.
The KPMG ESG Academy is a product of the deepening alliance between KPMG and Microsoft, driven by an investment in digital solutions to accelerate progress on ESG issues worldwide.
John McCalla-Leacy, Head of Global ESG at KPMG International says, “In a time of deep uncertainty, business leaders are seeking information and insight to inform their decision-making and futureproofing.”
“The combination of economic, geopolitical and climate crises is making planning for growth more challenging than ever before. KPMG and Microsoft’s shared commitment to innovation and sustainability is what’s driving us to deliver new products and initiatives.”
“In my conversations with business leaders, I routinely hear that complexity, a lack of understanding and the challenge of actually accessing information and insights is what’s holding them back on their ESG journey.”
“The launch of the KPMG ESG Academy is about bringing that much-needed information together in one place – to empower decision-makers to deliver positive change,” adds McCalla-Leacy.
Supporting businesses on their ESG journey
The KPMG ESG Academy is part of KPMG and Microsoft’s joint efforts to support businesses in their ESG journey through innovative digital solutions.
This partnership also produced the KPMG Circularity Tracker, enhancing ESG insights with automated data collection and model-based calculations using circularity performance metrics and measurement frameworks.
Shelly Blackburn, VP of Cross Solutions at Microsoft says, “Since 2015, nearly 6,000 companies have announced science-based sustainability targets, representing a third of global market capitalisation. Skilling is a vital prerequisite for driving progress. To meet their commitments, these companies need to gain insights, take action, and ultimately transform their businesses.”
“We’re proud to collaborate with KPMG on closing the skilling gap. The KPMG ESG Academy, powered by the Microsoft Cloud, provides the knowledge and tools that corporate leaders and their teams need to build more sustainable businesses that meet today’s critical climate challenges and tomorrow’s,” adds Blackburn.
Brief about KPMG International
KPMG is a global network of independent professional services firms that offer audit, tax, and advisory services. It operates under the brand name “KPMG” and is composed of individual member firms within KPMG International Limited.
These member firms operate autonomously in 143 countries and territories, employing over 265,000 partners and employees.