The Environmental & Social Risk Analysis for Bankers (ESRAB) course is designed to help banking professionals understand and manage the environmental and social (E&S) risks that influence financial decision-making. Rooted in the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), this course aligns banking practices with global sustainability goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Banks play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable economy. This course equips you with the knowledge and tools to integrate E&S risk considerations into lending, investment, and advisory processes. You will learn how these risks affect financial stability, explore frameworks for responsible banking, and gain practical skills in implementing Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS).
What You’ll Learn
Understand the scope of Environmental and Social (E&S) risks and the connection with core banking risks
Explore Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) principles and the identification, categorisation and interconnectivity of environmental and social risks
Learn frameworks for managing E&S risks and impacts, including the UNGPs and Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)
Develop practical skills in the use of Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS), screening, categorization, and due diligence
Explore global standards and regulatory expectations for E&S risk management
Identify opportunities for banks to support sustainable and socially responsible economic transformation
The course is structured into two main topics with five units:
Topic 1: Understanding the Scope of E&S Risk Analysis
What are Environmental & Social risks?
ESG criteria and double materiality explained
The evolving role of banks and the Principles for Responsible Banking
How E&S risks spill over into financial risks for banks
Supervisory expectations and global frameworks for E&S risk management
Topic 2: Identification, Categorisation and Interconnectivity of E&S Risks
Introduction to Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS)
Designing and implementing ESMS: policy, procedures, and reporting
Screening transactions and risk categorization
Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) and Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), monitoring, reporting, and grievance mechanisms
Your learning resources include:
Upon completing this course, the user will be awarded a digital certificate and badge.
Getting Started In Responsible Banking
Getting Started in Responsible Banking is the PRB Academy’s introductory course. It is aimed at all bank employees who would like to learn more about the Principles and practice of responsible banking so that they can support implementation of their bank’s strategy, serve their customers well, and reflect on what they personally can do to contribute to a more responsible banking profession and support the transition to a more sustainable world.
Clients And Customers
Clients and Customers is a specialist course designed to raise your awareness and knowledge of sustainability, what it means to be a responsible bank, and how you can encourage and support your clients and customers to transition to more sustainable practice.
Climate Change
Climate Change is a specialist course designed to raise your awareness and knowledge of climate change, the impact that climate change has on society and banks, the impact that society and banks have on climate change, and of the PRB which provide a framework for ensuring that banks’ strategies, activities and operations align with society’s goals – including the management of climate change - as expressed in the UN SDGs, the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as other international agreements.
Responsible Banking For Board Members And Executives
Responsible Banking for Board Members and Executives has been designed for those working at the higher levels of the banking world. Those with the power to make high-impact decisions hold a unique position in our collective journey towards responsible banking on a global scale.
Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking
Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking is set within the context of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) – the world’s leading sustainable banking framework. The aim of this course is to raise learners’ awareness of nature, the importance of our natural world, and how society and businesses rely on nature for their production needs and supply chains. This course shows why nature loss is a critical issue for a responsible bank, outlining key frameworks that banks can use to help assess their nature-related impacts and identify opportunities to have a more positive impact on nature.
Applying Nature-Responsible Banking
Applying Nature-Responsible Banking is set within the context of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) – the world’s leading sustainable banking framework.
This course builds on the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Academy’s Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking course. While the introductory course aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of nature and why its health is so important for our people, planet, and profit, Applying Nature-Responsible Banking aims to help you apply a nature-responsible approach to banking, reducing negative impacts on nature and moving towards positive contributions.
Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking - French
Le cours sur L'introduction à la nature et à la banque responsable sensibilise à l'importance de la nature pour la société et les entreprises, en soulignant comment la perte de la nature affecte la banque responsable. Ce cours présente les principaux cadres que les banques peuvent utiliser pour évaluer leur impact sur la nature et identifier les possibilités d'action positive. Cette page de cours s'adresse aux personnes intéressées par l'apprentissage de L'introduction à la nature et à la banque responsable en français.
Please note that this course page is for the French version of the course, by filling in the application form you are applying to study the course in French.
Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking - Spanish
El curso Introducción a la naturaleza y banca responsable sensibiliza sobre la importancia de la naturaleza para la sociedad y las empresas, destacando cómo la pérdida de naturaleza afecta a la banca responsable. El curso esboza marcos clave que los bancos pueden utilizar para evaluar sus impactos relacionados con la naturaleza e identificar oportunidades de acción positiva. Esta página del curso es para todas aquellas personas interesadas en aprender sobre la Introducción a la naturaleza y banca responsable en español.
Please note that this course page is for the Spanish version of the course, by filling in the application form you are applying to study the course in Spanish.
Applying Nature-Responsible Banking - French
Le cours sur La banque responsable appliquée à la nature est basé sur le cours l'Introduction à la nature et à la banque responsable de l’Académie des PBR. Alors que le cours d'introduction explique pourquoi la nature est importante, ce cours se concentre sur la façon dont les banques peuvent réduire les dommages causés à la nature et apporter des changements positifs. Il aide les participants à développer des compétences qui profitent à la fois aux banques et à l'environnement. Cette page de cours s'adresse aux personnes intéressées par l'apprentissage de La banque responsable appliquée à la nature en français.
This course page is for the French version of the course, by filling in the application form you are applying to study the course in French.
Applying Nature-Responsible Banking - Spanish
El curso Aplicando la naturaleza – Banca responsable se basa en el curso Introducción a la naturaleza y banca responsable de la Academia de los PBR. Mientras que el curso introductorio explica por qué la naturaleza es importante, este curso se centra en cómo los bancos pueden reducir el daño a la naturaleza y hacer cambios positivos. Esto ayuda a los participantes a desarrollar habilidades que benefician tanto a los bancos como al medio ambiente. Esta página del curso está dirigida a todas aquellas personas interesadas en aprender sobre Aplicando la naturaleza – Banca responsable en español.
Please note that this course page is for the Spanish version of the course, by filling in the application form you are applying to study the course in Spanish.
Clients And Customers - Spanish
El curso de Clientes y Clientes ye un cursu especializáu diseñáu pa aumentar la to consciencia y conocimientu sobre la sostenibilidá, lo que significa ser un banco responsable y cómo puedes alentar y apoyar a tus clientes pa que realicen la transición a prácticas más sostenibles.
Please note that this course page is for the Spanish version of the course, by filling in the application form you are applying to study the course in Spanish.
Clients And Customers - French
Le cours Clients et Clients est une formation spécialisée destinée à sensibiliser et à accroître vos connaissances en matière de durabilité, ce que signifie être une banque responsable, et comment vous pouvez encourager et soutenir vos clients à adopter des pratiques plus durables.
Please note that this course page is for the French version of the course, by filling in the application form you are applying to study the course in French.
Climate Risk Management for Bankers
Climate Risk Management for Bankers (CRMB) is designed to help banking professionals integrate climate risk into financial decision-making and reporting frameworks. This course complements the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), aligning banking strategies with global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as national commitments like Net Zero pledges.
Banks play a critical role in financing the transition to a sustainable economy. This course equips you with the knowledge and tools to identify, analyse, and manage climate-related risks and opportunities—without needing to become a sustainability expert.
