Become a Certified European Sustainability Reporting Standards professional with the GRI Academy
New ESRS Professional Certification Program from GRI, the co-constructor of the ESRS
A comprehensive learning program to grow your ESRS expertise
As from January 2024, the new European Standards came into effect for over 42,000 companies – including large companies in the EU as well as those listed on European stock exchanges. Reporters can now upskill to meet the challenges of ESRS reporting with confidence with the new GRI Academy ESRS Professional Certification Program.
Through a learning pathway covering every aspect of the ESRS reporting journey, the program will build your knwoledge in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and ESRS reporting.
The European Sustainability Reporting Standards were developed by EFRAG in collaboration with GRI, which has ensured a high degree alignment on impact reporting with the GRI Standards – including on definitions, metrics and disclosures.
Six courses that cover different aspects of the ESRS reporting journey:

1. Introduction to the CSRD and Reporting with the ESRS
An introductory course that covers all the basics: from understanding the CSRD and its role in the sustainability reporting landscape, to mastering ESRS fundamentals and the exact steps you need to take to prepare for your first reporting cycle.

2. Stakeholder Engagement for ESRS Reporting
This online course will guide you through the essentials of stakeholder engagement for reporting in the context of the ESRS. You'll learn about the significance of stakeholder engagement for impactful and transparent sustainability reporting and how it shapes an organization's vision, objectives, and strategy.

3. Double Materiality Assessment under the ESRS
Through a series of case studies, this course provides a hands-on approach to conducting a double materiality assessment, guiding you through every critical step to ensure your organization meets the requirements of the ESRS.

4. How to Collect and Report Information Under the ESRS
What data is essential for sustainability reporting? How can organizations meet ESRS general disclosure requirements? And how should they approach reporting on material sustainability matters?

5. Preparing for External Assurance for ESRS Reporting
Why is external assurance gaining momentum, and what’s driving the push for mandatory assurance? How does external assurance function for organizations required to comply with the CSRD and ESRS? And most importantly, how can your organization prepare effectively for this process?
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6. Digital Reporting under the CSRD
Do terms like digitalization, XBRL, and inline tagging feel overwhelming? This course simplifies the complexities of digital reporting under the CSRD and ESRS. You’ll explore the importance of digitalization in sustainability disclosure, learn how to tag and publish information using the ESRS XBRL Taxonomy, and gain practical insights to prepare for the digital future of sustainability reporting.
Learning pathway
The program is composed by six courses, which can be purchased individually or all together as part of the Certification Program.
Why choose the GRI Academy to upskill on the ESRS?
As the official learning platform for GRI – the co-constructor of the ESRS – the GRI Academy offers professional development tailored to building the knowledge, expertise, and skills required for the effective application of the ESRS.
This certification will allow you to advance your career and get professional recognition with the endorsement of the global leader for sustainability reporting.
You will build practical skills to effectively implement the ESRS by following a learning pathway that takes you through every stage of the ESRS reporting journey.
With over 40,500 course enrolments and more than 3,000 certifications issued, the GRI Academy is the world’s number one training provider for sustainability reporting.
Who is this certification program designed for?
The ESRS Certification Program is designed for individuals involved in or preparing to meet the challenges of CSRD reporting.
Can I purchase the courses individually?
Yes, you can purchase any of the courses that compose the certification program individually, whether you go for the certification or not. There is no need to purchase the whole learning path in one go. Note that, to be awarded the title that comes with the certification, you need to complete all six courses and pass the final exam.
How much does it cost?
The ESRS Certification Program has a total cost of €1250. If you want to purchase individual courses, each of them has a different price, which you can find out by clicking in the button below. The total to cost to become certified is the same whether you buy all courses plus the exam in one go or all courses individually.
Pre-requisites
There are no prerequisites for any of the courses nor for the certification program in its entirety.
How long does the program last?
The ESRS Certification Program takes an estimated 12 hours to complete, and you can work on it at your own pace. The exam lasts 1 hour. Learning hours presented are an estimate and may vary depending on the interactive learning options you activate.
I already bought some courses. How can I get the free exam?
To become eligible for the exam, you need to complete all six courses. Once you have completed the courses, contact our Academy team. If your ESRS learning journey started before the 1st of March 2025, you will receive a coupon for a free exam.
I don’t want to buy the full program now. How can I get the free exam if I buy the courses separately?
To become eligible for the exam, you need to complete all six courses. Once you have completed the courses, contact our Academy team. If your ESRS learning journey started before the 1st of March 2025, you will receive a coupon for a free exam.
Will I get a certificate?
If you complete all required courses and pass the final exam, you will receive a certificate confirming your status as “GRI Certified ESRS Sustainability Professional” and a corresponding badge to include in your email signature. In addition, each of the courses comes with its own certificate of completion.
