The College for Financial Planning will begin offering a designation in sustainable investing this fall in collaboration with US SIF, the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, the college announced Thursday.
The designation, the "Chartered SRI Counselor," puts the college “at the forefront of one of the most dynamic trends in personal investing,” the college said in a statement. More than 20 percent of assets under professional management in the United States, or $8.7 trillion, are now involved in sustainable, responsible and impact (SRI) strategies, according to US SIF.
Course work for planners seeking the CSRIC designation will detail the history of sustainable and impact investing. It will present the range of responsible investing approaches and share comprehensive information on the environmental, social, and governance factors considered by responsible investors. The course will also explore trends in shareholder engagement, fiduciary duty and portfolio construction, according to the college.
“This designation will provide a blend of foundational knowledge and scenario learning to give advisors the tools to better serve clients interested in sustainable, responsible and impact investments,” said Lisa Woll, chief executive officer of US SIF. “We have found that this expertise allows advisors to fill the needs of a broader network of clients and strengthen client relationships.”