There are a number of ESG groups and certifications which allows businesses and professionals in the Real Estate market to expand their knowledge and understanding of sustainable investment. Although these initiatives do not offer many programs that are tailored to Real Estate operations, having an understanding of ESG in investment and finance is a large step for many firms around the world in improving their ESG performance and sustainability.

ESG certifications are a way that businesses in the Real Estate market can improve their sustainability and performance, allowing people to better understand how ESG practices and criteria fit into their business models, and how they can benefit day-to-day operations.

The most prominent ESG certifications are offered by the CFA Institute, and are solely tailored to investment and finance. This means that although there is some relationship to Real Estate (namely to Real Estate investments), there are not Real-Estate-specific certifications and training programs that businesses can employ to improve their ESG practices and knowledge.

This CFA certification does, however, allow people to learn about more sustainable investments, and it allows people to better understand how they can make investments that are better for the environment, better for society, and which adhere to higher governance standards.

Other programs  that offer ESG certification and training around the world include the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS), which offers ESG investment training in Europe; the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence, which offers training sessions and seminars on ESG topics; Competent Boards, offering a self-study program for ESG investment; and the International Association for Sustainable Economy (IASE) which offers ESG membership for businesses around the world.