Overview
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Analysts evaluate companies' sustainability performance for investment decisions — at asset management firms, ESG rating agencies, sustainable-bond issuers, and corporate sustainability teams. India's sustainable finance market has grown sharply with SEBI's BRSR mandate, the rise of green bonds (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, REC), ESG mutual fund launches (SBI ESG Equity, ICICI Pru ESG Exclusionary, Quantum India ESG), and growing global investor focus on Indian ESG performance. ESG rating agencies (Sustainalytics India, MSCI ESG India, S&P Global ESG India, CRISIL Sustainability Yardstick) hire heavily.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Analyse company sustainability disclosures (BRSR, GRI, SASB, TCFD reports); rate companies on environmental, social, and governance metrics; engage with company management on ESG performance; integrate ESG analysis into investment recommendations; produce ESG research notes for portfolio managers and investors; track regulatory developments (SEBI BRSR, EU SFDR, ISSB IFRS S1/S2); manage proxy voting on shareholder resolutions; conduct climate-risk and scenario analysis; respond to investor queries on ESG; participate in industry forums (CDP, GRI, PRI, TCFD).
Skills required
- ESG frameworks (BRSR, GRI, SASB, TCFD, ISSB IFRS S1/S2)
- Climate risk and scenario analysis (transition + physical risks)
- GHG accounting (Scope 1, 2, 3)
- Financial-statement analysis with ESG overlay
- ESG data sources (Bloomberg ESG, Refinitiv ESG, Sustainalytics)
- Knowledge of SDGs and Indian context
- Investment-research writing
- Engagement with corporate sustainability and IR teams
Education path
MBA Finance / Sustainability, MA Environmental Studies + finance specialisation, M.Sc Sustainable Finance. CFA + ESG Investing Certificate (offered by CFA Institute) is the dominant credential combination. PRI Academy courses. International master's (Yale, LSE, NUS Sustainability) for top global roles. Many ESG analysts come from equity research, sustainability consulting, or environmental science backgrounds.
Career progression
- 1Junior ESG Analyst (0-3 yrs)
- 2ESG Analyst (3-7 yrs)
- 3Senior ESG Analyst (7-12 yrs)
- 4ESG Lead / Director (12-18 yrs)
- 5Head of Sustainable Finance / Chief Sustainability Officer (18+ yrs)
Top employers in India
Useful certifications
- CFA Level I-III
- CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing
- PRI Academy Foundations / Advanced
- CDP Reporting Specialist
- GRI Certified Sustainability Professional
- TCFD Reporting Practitioner
- GARP SCR (Sustainability and Climate Risk)