Climate Change Advocates have underscored the need to ensure the inclusion of students in embracing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).

The ESG is a set of standards that checks how operations of companies impact the environment, how employees are treated and how the companies uphold corporate governance.

According to the Climate Change Advocates, there was a need for students to be nurtured in ESG to promote the adoption of eco-friendly technology and green energy.

This, they reiterated, would go a long way to contribute towards improving environmental management and the control of air and water pollution.

The stakeholders made these remarks at an ESG and Climate Change forum, organized by the University of Ghana (UG) Business School Accounting Association, in collaboration with Makers and Partners (MAP), an audit firm.

“ESG has become an important part of the business community therefore students must tap into its opportunities and take advantage of every learning platform to build their capacity in the field”.

The event, held on the theme: “Environmental, Social and Governance Practices for a Sustainable Future” was tailored to engage students at the University, highlight the opportunities within the ESG space and as well train them on what they could do in terms of their academic path.

Professor William Coffie, Head of the Accounting Department at the University of Ghana (UG), in his contribution, noted that sustainable practices could help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, ensuring a safer environment for all.

He reiterated UG’s commitment to ensuring that new trends were embedded in the curriculum, adding that “every single programme has a course dedicated to ESG”.

Mr Wilfred Neneh Addico, Advisory Partner at Makers and Partners, said the gesture was part of the Firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility activity and it also underscores its commitment to support the youth in terms of offering mentorship programs and preparing them to take the mantle of leadership.

He explained that MAP intends to bring on board highly skilled individuals, to allow them to develop themselves in consulting services not just locally but internationally.

Touching on ESG, he said the global trends today for organisations were not just financial reporting but non-financial related performance, and these included how businesses are diversified, how businesses manage their emissions, and the essence is for them to report their progress.

“So, we made the students understand that exposing themselves to training and certifications in that space would give them the competence to be ready for the job market”.

Mr Michael Boateng, an ESG and Carbon Trading Consultant, also touched on the opportunities within the ESG space, saying the carbon tax law in Ghana which was passed is yet to be implemented, and the law requires businesses to submit their accounts at the end of every month to Ghana Revenue Authority.

“Somebody must prepare the accounts and audits, and for this reason, young people must embrace these trends to make money; for the accounting and auditing side there is already an

opportunity for them, but when it comes to carbon marketing, trading and carbon finance students can use carbon credit to finance their start-ups”.

Patience Dei Lamiley, Vice President of the UG Accounting Students’ Association, expressed gratitude to Makers and Partners for the training.

“I learnt about carbon financing, which was new to me, thus, there are funds for those who provide solutions that reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere, and also this financing can be used by people who are looking to start-up firms and need funding”.