Programs in Uzbekistan and Worldwide
ESG has long ceased to be a single separate profession. Today, a sustainability specialist may need completely different competencies: preparation of ESG reporting, assessment of climate risks, calculation of greenhouse gas emissions, analysis of a bank’s loan portfolio, decarbonization of an industrial enterprise, or working with CBAM requirements.
Therefore, it is better to choose training not simply by the word ESG in the course title, but based on the tasks you plan to solve in practice.
Below are programs worth considering for specialists from Uzbekistan and other countries. The selection includes both full academic programs and short professional courses offered by international organizations.
The cost and training conditions are provided as of September 28, 2026 and may change. Before registration, it is recommended to check the current conditions on the provider’s website.
General Programs in ESG and Sustainable Development
Such programs are suitable for those who are just starting to work with ESG, moving into a company’s sustainability function, or want to systematize their knowledge in sustainable development, ESG standards, and non-financial reporting.
1. Green University, Uzbekistan
Central Asian Green University in Uzbekistan offers Master’s programs in sustainable development, sustainable finance, circular economy, environmental law, and other areas. It is suitable for those who want to obtain a full academic education and subsequently work in ESG, sustainable finance, environmental policy, or climate projects.
Programs: Sustainable Development, Sustainable Finance, and other Master’s programs.
Type of study: Master’s degree
Mode of study: full-time
Duration: 2 years
Language of instruction: English
Cost: UZS 22,878,000 per year (approximately $2,000) for local citizens.
Green University Master’s Programs
2. GRI Professional Certification Program
One of the most practical programs for those involved in preparing ESG and sustainability reporting. The program includes training in the principles of GRI Standards, identification of material topics, disclosure of information, and practical preparation of reports. After completing the training program and examination, participants can obtain GRI professional certification.
Organization: Global Reporting Initiative
Type of study: course
Format: online, self-paced
Duration: 13 hours
Language of instruction: English
Cost: €1,250 + possible VAT
GRI Professional Certification Program
For those who want to become familiar with GRI without full certification, there is a separate course, Introduction to Sustainability Reporting and the GRI Standards: approximately 6 hours, cost €300.
3. Introduction to Green Economy — UN CC
A basic course on the green economy that helps to understand the relationship between economics, environmental policy, sustainable development, and mechanisms for transition to a low-carbon model. A good option for those who first need to develop an overall understanding of sustainable development before moving on to GHG, IFRS, PCAF, or CBAM.
Organizations: UNITAR / UNEP / PAGE
Format: online, self-paced
Duration: 10 hours
Language of instruction: English
Cost: $20
UN CC Catalogue
ESG for Banks and Financial Institutions
For banks, ESG is no longer associated only with corporate social responsibility. It includes climate and environmental risks of borrowers, sustainable finance, financed emissions, climate scenarios, IFRS S1/S2, green loans and bonds, and requirements of investors and international financial institutions.
1. ESG for Banks — HPBS, Uzbekistan
A practical program focused specifically on the banking sector. It includes ESG factors, climate risks, GHG Protocol and Scope 1–3, PCAF, CBAM, GRI, IFRS S1 and S2 and ESRS, borrower assessment, ESG scoring, green loans and bonds, Sustainability-Linked Loans, portfolio carbon intensity, and integration of ESG factors into NPV. Part of the materials is available in an open preview. The course is based on practical approaches and the company’s experience working with international and local banks.
Organization: HPBS – Center for Research and Environmental Engineering.
Format: offline or online
Language of instruction: Russian or English
Duration: 5 modules, 25 lessons, 10 hours
Cost: $600, discounts apply depending on the number of participants
A certificate is issued upon completion of the training
HPBS ESG for Banks Program
2. IFRS Sustainability — IFRS Foundation
If a company or bank works with international financial reporting, investors, or international financial institutions, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 should be studied separately.
The IFRS Foundation offers four official introductory e-learning modules:
• Introduction to IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
• Introduction to IFRS S1
• Introduction to IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures
• Integrated sustainability disclosures and organisational considerations
Organization: IFRS Foundation
Format: online
Language of instruction: English
Volume: from 3 hours for each module
Duration: free.
A certificate can be obtained after completing the assessment.
IFRS Sustainability e-learning courses
3. Sustainable Investing Certificate — CFA Institute
The program focuses on ESG investing and the integration of environmental, social, and governance factors into investment analysis and financial decision-making.
It is primarily suitable for specialists from banks, investment companies, asset management, risk management, and sustainable finance.
Format: online, self-paced
Duration: approximately 100 hours
Access period: 6 months
Cost: $890
CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate
4. Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate — GARP SCR
The program is particularly relevant for banking risk specialists. The curriculum includes climate risks, climate policy, green finance, scenario analysis, net zero, nature risk, transition planning, carbon reporting, and climate risk management.
Organization: Global Association of Risk Professionals
Duration: 100–150 hours
Format: self-study + exam
For the October 2026 exam, the registration fee was:
• $625 — for holders of certain GARP qualifications;
• $650 — for Individual Members;
• $750 — for other participants.
GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate
5. Climate Change: Risk Management in the Banking Sector — UNEP FI
One of the most specialized banking courses in this selection. It covers physical and transition climate risks, ISSB/IFRS Sustainability Standards, disclosure frameworks, scenario analysis, and climate risk assessment methodologies.
Format: online with an instructor
Duration: 3 weeks
Workload: approximately 2 hours per day, 5 days per week
Cost: $900–1,400 depending on the participant category
UNEP FI Climate Risk in the Banking Sector
6. Certified Expert in Sustainable Finance — Frankfurt School
The program covers sustainable finance, ESG risks, international regulation, green bonds, ESG investing, and integration of sustainability into financial strategies. It is suitable for bankers, risk managers, consultants, investment specialists, and sustainability officers.
Format: online or blended
Duration: 6 months
Recommended workload: several hours per week
Online cost: €1,900
Frankfurt School — Certified Expert in Sustainable Finance
7. PCAF Academy — financed emissions
For banks calculating financed emissions — Scope 3 Category 15 — the PCAF methodology should be studied separately. PCAF Academy includes training on financed emissions, facilitated emissions, and insurance-associated emissions. However, access to the Academy is provided to PCAF signatories and Accredited Partners. For a bank planning to implement full accounting of financed emissions, this is already the next level after the basic GHG Protocol.
Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials — PCAF
Where to Study GHG Protocol Emissions Calculations (ISO 14064)
If the task is to independently calculate the carbon footprint of an organization or product, it is better to study the primary sources immediately: GHG Protocol, followed by ISO 14064, Scope 1, 2, 3, product carbon footprint (LCA, EPD), and sector-specific methodologies.
1. GHG Protocol Corporate Standard Training
This is a good starting point for corporate carbon accounting. It covers the principles of GHG accounting, organizational and operational inventory boundaries, emissions calculations, base year changes, and preparation of a GHG inventory. Recordings of the previous three-day training are available free of charge;
Organization: GHG Protocol / WRI / WBCSD
Format: recordings of three webinars
Cost: free
Language: English
A certificate is not issued for viewing the free version.
GHG Protocol Corporate Standard Training
GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance
The course focuses on calculating emissions from purchased electricity, heat, steam, and cooling, including contractual instruments and the specifics of market-based accounting.
Language: English
Duration: approximately 4 hours
Cost: free without a certificate / $30 with a certificate
GHG Protocol Scope 2 Recorded Webinar
GHG Protocol Scope 3 Standard
The course covers the entire value chain and 15 Scope 3 categories: identification of emission sources, data collection, calculation methods, target setting, and reporting preparation.
It is recommended to have prior knowledge of the Corporate Standard.
Language: English
Duration: 8–20 hours
Cost: $600
Format: self-paced online
GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain — Scope 3 course
2. Climate Risks and GHG Emissions Calculation – Full Practical Course on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculations under GHG Protocol Scope 1, 2, 3
An in-depth program in the field of climate risks and greenhouse gases. You will master the methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions across all required Scopes: Scope 1, 2 and 3. You will study comprehensive information about emissions assessment and reporting standards. You will learn how to optimize and offset greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to the sustainable development of your company in your domestic and international markets. You will learn how greenhouse gas emissions calculations can be automated.
Language: English or Russian
Duration: 30 hours
Cost: $700
Format: in-person or online
Academy of the HPBS Center for Research and Environmental Engineering
Greenhouse gas emissions calculation Scope 1, 2 — available free of charge
Greenhouse gas emissions calculation Scope 3 and Scope 3 Emissions Calculation Intensive — $300
Registration: info@hpbs.uz
3. ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Lead Verifier — SGS Uzbekistan
The program covers the GHG verification and validation procedure.
Format: online
Duration: 32 hours
Cost: must be requested from the provider.
SGS Uzbekistan
Where to Study CBAM
Since 2026, CBAM has entered a new phase of implementation, so for producers of cement, aluminium, steel, fertilizers, hydrogen, and electricity, it is especially important to use up-to-date materials rather than old courses prepared exclusively for the transitional period.
1. Official European Commission CBAM Courses
The Customs & Tax EU Learning Portal provides CBAM materials for individual sectors.
The introductory CBAM Introduction module takes approximately 10 minutes, while sector-specific e-learning modules take approximately 45 minutes each. The portal also provides new 2026 webinars on embedded emissions calculations, verification, accreditation, and the operation of the mechanism after the launch of the main CBAM phase.
Cost: free.
On the EU Learning Portal, after successful completion of a number of courses, an attendance certificate can be obtained.
Official European Commission CBAM webinars and e-learning
2. CBAM Course – HPBS Center for Research and Environmental Engineering
The professional CBAM program is intended for specialists who need to understand the new regulatory system, learn how to correctly calculate embedded emissions, and prepare reporting in accordance with European Commission requirements. The course program combines the theoretical foundation, EU regulations, and practical industry cases. Practical cases from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are considered.
Format: online or in-person
Language: English and Russian
Duration: 15 hours
Cost: $500
A certificate is issued upon completion of the course
HPBS Academy – Center for Research and Environmental Engineering
3. IACBAM 3004:2025 — CBAM Fundamentals
The course is intended for importers, exporters, manufacturers, consultants, and specialists responsible for CBAM reporting and emissions data.
Format: online
Duration: 4 hours
Cost: £549
Exam: included
IACBAM CBAM Fundamentals Training
Training in ESG and Decarbonization for Industry
For an industrial company, it is more useful not to limit itself to a general ESG course, but to study energy management, technological decarbonization, product carbon intensity, GHG, ISO 14064/50001, LCA, and export market requirements.
1. Green Industrial Policy: Promoting Competitiveness and Structural Transformation
The program focuses on the transition of industry to a more sustainable model: industrial policy, decarbonization tools, competitiveness, structural transformation, and the relationship between industry, the green economy, and international trade.
Organizations: UNEP, UNIDO, UNITAR / PAGE
Format: self-paced
Duration: approximately 30 hours
Certificate cost: $20
Green Industrial Policy course
2. UNIDO Energy Management Systems / ISO 50001
UNIDO implements practical Energy Management Systems — EnMS programs aimed at industrial enterprises and energy efficiency specialists.
The full practical UNIDO program may last approximately 18 months and includes training, development of an action plan, implementation of the system at a real enterprise, evaluation of results, and an exam. The cost is not the same for all countries: such programs are usually implemented within national or international UNIDO projects.
UNIDO Industrial Decarbonization Accelerator — Energy Management Systems
3. UNIDO SDG 9 Learning Academy
UNIDO also operates the open SDG 9 Learning Academy, which offers programs on sustainable industry, smart manufacturing, standards, and low-carbon development. Most of the platform’s materials are available online free of charge. For example, the Low Carbon Development and Sustainable Transitions course is positioned as a free e-learning course with the possibility of accreditation. UNIDO does not publicly specify the duration of this particular course.
4. School of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources. Training on Heat Pump and Heat/Cold Recovery System Implementation. Uzbekistan.
A practice-oriented training model. The initiative is implemented with the support of The GEF Small Grants Programme and the National Association of Energy Engineers of Uzbekistan within a project aimed at human capital development, implementation of energy-efficient technologies, and expansion of the practical use of renewable energy sources. Within the program, participants study: energy-efficient technologies in energy and construction; modern energy management methods; conducting energy audits and analysing energy consumption; design and operation of heat pumps; solar photovoltaic systems; integration of renewable energy sources into existing infrastructure; energy storage and backup systems; reduction of the energy intensity of enterprises; modern engineering solutions for industry and utilities; digital approaches to energy resource management. Particular attention is paid to the practical operation of equipment, proper system design, and training specialists capable of ensuring the quality and efficiency of implemented solutions.
Organization: Total Energy Recovery
Format: in-person, Uzbekistan
Duration: 5 days, 4 hours per day
Cost: $600
Registration: +998 (90) 930-65-66 | +998 90 482 97 56 (Telegram)
A certificate is issued upon completion of the training
How to Choose a Program?
If you are just starting to work with ESG, there is no need to immediately purchase an expensive international certification. It is better first to understand which area you want to specialize in. And then deepen your knowledge in that area.
The main thing to remember is that ESG today is not a single competency, but an entire system of knowledge at the intersection of finance, risk management, environmental issues, climate reporting, engineering, and corporate governance. Therefore, the strongest specialists usually combine general ESG training with one or more applied specializations.