Navigating sustainability reporting training can be overwhelming. With CSRD coming into force, GRI standards evolving, and new climate disclosure requirements emerging, choosing the right course matters more than ever.Â
We’ve compiled this comprehensive comparison of leading sustainability reporting courses from top providers including London Reporting Academy, CSRD Institute, and Sustainability Reporting Navigator Academy.Â
Whether you need CSRD compliance training, GRI certification, materiality assessment skills, or carbon accounting expertise, this guide helps you find the right fit based on:Â
– Framework coverage (ESRS, GRI, ISSB, etc.)Â
– Price and formatÂ
– Skill level and prerequisites Â
– Practical components includedÂ
– Access durationÂ
Use the comparison table below to find your ideal course.
Quick Start Guide:
1. Scan the “Best For” column to find courses matching your roleÂ
2. Check “Level” to ensure it matches your experience or desired level of skill and depth
3. Review “Frameworks Covered” for regulatory alignmentÂ
4. Compare prices and format preferencesÂ
5. Read ‘Our Notes’ for context-specific recommendations
| Course Name | Provider | Price | Course Duration | Duration of e-learning platform access | Format | Certificate | Best For | Our Notes | Level | Frameworks Covered | Practical Components |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSRD Fundamentals | CSRD Institute | Free | 1 hour | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion | Sustainability professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of CSRD | For those looking to get a basic overview of CSRD, or looking to test the CSRD Institute format before committing to a paid course. | Beginner | CSRD/ESRS | Knowledge checks, Interactive Notes on EU Omnibus Proposal |
| GRI Standards Certified Course | London Reporting Academy | £700 or £1200 (online or in-person) | 12 hours over 2 days (Next training is 27-28 January 2026) | n/a | Online Live (Instructor-led) or In Person | GRI Professional Certification | For those wanting a solid understanding of principles of sustainability reporting, and a formal GRI certification. | LRA is a great option, but if you’re looking for something local to you, or want to explore all your options – check out all GRI Certified Training Partners here, offering both GRI and ESRS certification pathways: https://www.globalreporting.org/Reporting-Support/education/TrainingPartnerCalendar.html | Beginner | GRI (ESRS (CSRD) and ISBB-IFRS operability is included) | All participants receive an extensive library of ready-to-use templates, materials, and tools to streamline the reporting preparation process. |
| CSRD Advanced | CSRD Institute | €495 | 6 hours | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion, CPD Eligible | Professionals in any sustainability-related or non-financial reporting roles | Great grounder for those who need to understand sustainability reporting as part of their role. | Intermediate | CSRD/ESRS | Practical examples and case studies, bonus content and additional resources, community hub, interactive notes on EU Omnibus Proposal, knowledge checks |
| CSRD Professional | CSRD Institute | €995 | 8 hours | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion, CPD Eligible | Those looking to become CSRD pros. | The most comprehensive and advanced sustainability reporting course by CSRD institute, this course includes CSRD Advanced, as well. It’s a great sustainability reporting deep dive in general. We’d recommend first taking a free CSRD Institute course to see if you like the format, before committing to the paid version. | Advanced | CSRD/ESRS | Practical examples and case studies, bonus content and additional resources, community hub, interactive notes on EU Omnibus Proposal, knowledge checks |
| Introduction to the VSME Standard | CSRD Institute | Free | 1 hour | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion, CPD Eligible | SMEs and individuals looking for an introduction to sustainability reporting. | Try this free course before you commit to a fuller paid course with the CSRD Institute, to understand if the format is for you. If you share your certificate online, you can even get a 10% discount on a paid course. | Beginner | CSRD/VSME | Knowledge checks, course study notes and slides |
| Reporting with the VSME Standard | CSRD Institute | €695 | 8 hours | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion, CPD Eligible | Those looking for a solid base to start out in sustainability reporting. | Great for SMEs and corporates that may be out of scope of EU CSRD, but expect that their larger clients may pass down some of the requirements down the supply chain. | Intermediate | CSRD/VSME | Bite-sized video lessons, study notes, community hub and discussion forums. |
| CSRD Starter Course | Palau Project | €900 | 5 hours | Indefinite | Online Self-Paced | None | ESG professionals and consultants responsible for CSRD compliance. | Great for a high level overview, and you can access the first module free of charge to see if it’s a good format for you. | Intermediate | CSRD/ESRS | Tools and Templates included |
| Certified ESRS (CSRD) Sustainability Reporting Course | London Reporting Academy | £1200 | 30 hours completed within 6 months | 12 months | Online Self-Paced + 4 live mentorship sessions | Certificate of Completion | For ESG professionals needing a deep understanding of ESRS standards. | LRA is a great option, but if you’re looking for something local to you, or want to explore all your options – check out all GRI Certified Training Partners here, offering both GRI and ESRS certification pathways: https://www.globalreporting.org/Reporting-Support/education/TrainingPartnerCalendar.html | Intermediate | CSRD/ESRS, SFDR, EU Taxonomy, CSDDD | 100+ illustrative practical disclosures 100+ real-life reporting examples from top companies for each disclosure requirement |
| Emissions Reporting Under ESRS E1 | Sustainability Reporting Navigator Academy | Free | 3 hours of video plus reading and assessment | Unlimited | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion | Business professionals looking to deeply understand ESRS E1. | Really great resource for those needing a deep dive, especially as it’s free. But not for complete reporting beginners, as this course assumes you have some foundational knowledge. | Intermediate | CSRD/ESRS E1 | Knowledge checks and additional reading recommendations |
| IFRS S1 and S2 Sustainability Reporting Standards | London Reporting Academy | £99, £350 or £1,200 depending on option chosen | 20 hours within 6 months | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion | Those looking to master ISSB-IFRS S1 and S2 reporting. Designed for professionals who require a deep understanding of the standards. | Great option for companies in the 30+ jurisdictions that have or are adopting ISSB-aligned reporting standards, like Australia, UK, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. | Intermediate | ISSB/IFRS S1 and S2; Connection with GRI, TCFD, SASB and CSRD/ESRS | Live workshops, hands-on exercises, case studies, and mentor support. |
| Sustainability Reporting Assurance | London Reporting Academy | £800 | 20 hours completed within 6 months | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion | For those needing a deep understanding of third party assurance. | Great if you’re a consultant getting into ESG assurance, or if you’re managing third party assurance as part of your in-house sustainability role. | Intermediate | ISAE 3000, AA1000AS, and ISSA 5000 | Actionable insights, checklists, and real-world case studies |
| California Climate Regulation: SB 253 & SB 261 Compliance | London Reporting Academy | £350 or £1,200 (depending on option chosen) | 4 weeks to complete the course | 6 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion | Those responsible for complying with the California disclosure rules. | Great for companies for which this is the main/only reporting requirement; otherwise a more general reporting course may be more suitable, as understanding some of the other frameworks and standards, like IFRS and TCFD, will certainly prepare you for the California rules as well. | Intermediate | California Climate Laws CA SB 253/261, IFRS S2 and TCFD | Live workshops, hands-on exercises, case studies, and mentor support. |
| ESG Reporting for US Companies | London Reporting Academy | £1750 | 80 hours completed within 6 months | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion | For those needing a good grounding in ESG reporting for US companies. | A comprehensive all-in-one reporting course for companies with core presence in the US. | Intermediate | SEC Climate Disclosure Rules, California Climate Laws CA SB 253/261, ISSB/IFRS S1, S2, TCFD, SASB, GRI, CSRD/ESRS | 10 personalized, one-on-one mentoring sessions and access to templates |
| ESG Reporting: Full Stack mentorship course | London Reporting Academy | £1750 | 80 hours within 6 months (+10 one-to-one sessions) | 12 months | Online Live (Instructor-led) | Certificate of Completion | Those looking to gain end-to-end skills from developing robust reporting frameworks and precise data collection, to impactful copywriting, design, and stakeholder comms. | The mentoring component of this course makes it very unique. If you prefer a personalised approach and ability to ask lots of questions and apply the contents of the course to your unique situation, this one might be for you. | Advanced | GRI, TCFD, SASB, CSRD/ESRS, ISSB/IFRS, UNGC/SDGs | Practical tools, ESG library with resources, interactive assignments, access to peer network. |
| Materiality assessment for ESG reporters | London Reporting Academy | £800 | 15 hours completed within 6 months | 12 months | Online Self-Paced | Certificate of Completion | For those needing a good grounding in sustainability reporting and materiality principles. | Materiality is one of the most critical reporting concepts, start here if you’re after a deep understanding of good practice. | Beginner | GRI, CSRD/ESRS, ISSB/IFRS 1, 2: Approach to Materiality | Live workshops, hands-on exercises, case studies, and mentor support. |
KEY TAKEAWAYS BY FRAMEWORK
CSRD/ESRS Training
- Advanced CSRD 2.0 (Earth Academy) – €700 for a 10 hour (2 half days) live course via Zoom – only offered a few times per year, the next one is running April 21, 22, 28 & 29 2026. Good choice if you need something more engaging than pre-recorded training and want to be able to discuss and ask questions live. (Bonus: get 10% off with code HTESG10).
- Certified ESRS Course (London Reporting Academy) – £1,200 for comprehensive training with 100+ practical disclosures and real company examples. Best for ESG professionals needing deep ESRS knowledge.
- CSRD Professional (CSRD Institute) – €995 for their most advanced offering. Includes community hub and EU Omnibus notes. Great for those wanting to become CSRD experts.
- Emissions Reporting Under ESRS E1 (SR Navigator Academy)Â – FREE but specialized. Perfect for deep-diving into climate disclosures specifically.
Our recommendation: If CSRD is your primary need and you want comprehensive training, London Reporting Academy offers strong practical components. If you need something engaging and live, check out Earth Academy’s Advanced CSRD 2.0 masterclass. If budget is tight, start with the free CSRD Fundamentals course from CSRD Institute to test their format.
GRI Certification
- GRI Standards Certified Course (London Reporting Academy) – £700-1,200 depending on format (online vs in-person). Gets you the official GRI Professional Certification, which can be valuable for career credibility.Â
Note from table:Â LRA is a GRI Certified Training Partner, but you can find other local partners at globalreporting.org if you prefer in-person training closer to you.
ISSB/IFRS Standards
- Advanced IFRS Masterclass (Earth Academy) – €700 for a 10-hour (2 half days) live Zoom course, only offered a few times per year. Next scheduled dates are March 24-25, 2026. This one is great if you are looking for a more engaging option than pre-recorded videos, and want to be able to discuss and ask questions. (Bonus: get 10% off with code HTESG10).
- IFRS S1 and S2 Course (London Reporting Academy) – Three price tiers (£99, £350, £1,200) depending on level of mentorship needed.
- FSA I and FSA II certification prep (Earth Academy) – Ranging from €250 to €1850, Earth Academy offers prep courses (99% pass rate with over 2,000 certified) for the IFRS Foundation’s Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) Level I and II exams. This one is for those who are serious about becoming an expert in IFRS standards and guiding their company or clients in connecting sustainability with financial materiality. (You can also get 10% off with code HTESG10).
Best for:Â Companies in the 30+ jurisdictions adopting ISSB standards (Australia, UK, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong).
Materiality & Assurance
- Advanced Double Materiality Masterclass (Earth Academy) – €700 for a 10-hour (2 half days) live Zoom course, only offered a few times per year. Next scheduled dates are March 10-11, 2026. This one is great if you lose motivation going through self-paced courses and are looking for a more engaging option. (Bonus: get 10% off with code HTESG10).
- Materiality Assessment Course (London Reporting Academy) – £800 with hands-on exercises and mentor support. Covers GRI, ESRS, and IFRS approaches.
- Sustainability Reporting Assurance (London Reporting Academy) – £800, great if you’re managing third-party assurance or getting into ESG consulting.
Why these matter: Materiality is one of the most critical reporting concepts. Starting here gives you strong foundations.
US-Specific Reporting
- California Climate Regulation Course (London Reporting Academy) – £350-1,200 for SB 253/261 compliance.
- ESG Reporting for US Companies (London Reporting Academy) – £1,750 comprehensive course covering SEC, California, ISSB, TCFD, SASB, GRI, and ESRS.
Our take:Â The comprehensive US course is ideal if you’re navigating multiple US requirements. Otherwise, more general ISSB/TCFD training may suffice since California rules draw from these.
Free Courses Worth Taking
- Emissions Reporting Under ESRS E1Â (SR Navigator Academy) – 3 hours, certificate included. Great climate disclosure deep-dive.
- Introduction to VSME Standard (CSRD Institute) – 1 hour intro for SMEs. Good for testing CSRD Institute‘s format.
- CSRD Fundamentals (CSRD Institute) – 1 hour overview. Perfect starting point before committing to paid courses.
Pro tip:Â Share your VSME certificate online to get 10% off paid CSRD Institute courses.
CHOOSING YOUR COURSE
Based on the courses in our comparison:
If you’re just starting out: Begin with free courses (CSRD Fundamentals, VSME Introduction) to understand if the provider’s style suits you. Then invest in comprehensive training aligned with your reporting needs.
If you need formal certification:Â GRI Standards Certified Course gets you recognized GRI credentials, but reporting has evolved a lot in the last few years, so consider whether GRI will give you the right knowlege, or if it’s better to go for something that covers some of the newer standards (ISSB/IFRS, CSRD/ESRS) but still gives you a certificate. The FSA I and II certifications by IFRS are an investment but may be worth it, as so many countries are adopting IFRS-based reporting. London Reporting Academy offers certificates of completion across all courses. CSRD Institute courses are CPD eligible.
If you learn best with support: If you struggle with self-paced courses (don’t we all), check out Earth Academy’s live masterclasses held throughout the year over two half-days (you’ll also get 10% off with code HTESG10). London Reporting Academy’s courses include mentorship sessions. CSRD Institute provides community hubs for peer discussion. Consider the £1,750+ courses with one-on-one mentoring for personalized guidance.
If budget is limited: Start with free courses, then choose focused topics (£350-800 range). The VSME course (€695) offers good value for SMEs. Self-paced options give you 6-12 months access to learn at your pace.
If you need everything: ESG Reporting Full Stack (£1,750) covers end-to-end skills with 10 mentoring sessions. ESG Reporting for US Companies (£1,750) is comprehensive for US-focused roles.Â
PRACTICAL COMPONENTS MATTER
As you’ll notice in the “Practical Components” column, the best courses include:
✓ Templates and tools – London Reporting Academy provides extensive ready-to-use materials
✓ Real company examples – The ESRS course includes 100+ examples from top companies
✓ Case studies – Featured across most intermediate/advanced courses
✓ Hands-on exercises – Particularly in materiality and assurance training
✓ Community access – CSRD Institute emphasizes peer forums
✓ Mentor support – Available in premium London Reporting Academy offerings
Look for these elements when comparing courses – they transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills.
PROVIDER INSIGHTS
Based on the courses in our comparison:
Earth Academy focuses on offering technical and practical courses for practitioners with a mix of live 2-day masterclasses best for those who may lose motivation going through a long self-paced course, and FSA I and II certification prep packages for a serious IFRS deep dive. (You can get 10% off the Earth Academy masterclasses and FSA certification prep with code HTESG10).
London Reporting Academy dominates the landscape with comprehensive offerings across all major frameworks. Their consistent inclusion of mentorship, templates, and 12-month platform access makes them suitable for serious practitioners. Price range: £99-£1,750.
CSRD Institute focuses specifically on European reporting with a clear progression path: Fundamentals (free). Advanced (€495). Professional (€995). Strong community features and CPD-eligible certificates. Their courses include interactive notes on EU regulatory updates. In 2026 they’re due to launch their new Sustainability Reporting Academy, which will have a wider lens than just European reporting, so watch this space.Â
Sustainability Reporting Navigator Academy offers a free, specialized deep-dive into ESRS E1 climate reporting. Limited scope but valuable for those needing technical climate disclosure expertise without cost barriers.
Palau Project provides a concise CSRD starter course (€900, 5 hours) with indefinite access – good middle ground for those wanting quick orientation.
CONCLUSION
The table above provides direct comparison of course details, but your final choice depens on:
-Your regulatory requirements (CSRD, GRI, ISSB, California)
-Learning preferences (self-paced vs. mentored)
-Budget and time availability
-Desired depth (awareness vs. professional mastery)
Next Steps
- Identify which framework(s) you need based on your company’s obligations
- Review the ‘Best For’ column to find role-aligned courses
- Start with free courses if testing a provider
- Consider comprehensive training if this is career-critical for you
