The ESGPro Mastery Institute (esgproinvest.com) provides a structured overview of the CFA ESG Investing 2025 Official Curriculum, helping candidates efficiently navigate the key topics. The CFA Institute’s manual spans approximately 566 pages, with 522 pages of core exam-relevant content.
Important Note: This summary is a supplement, not a replacement, for the CFA Institute’s official materials. Success on the exam requires thorough study of the CFA curriculum.
CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate Overview
The CFA Sustainable Investing Certificate is a globally recognized program designed to equip investment professionals with the ability to incorporate ESG factors into their investment decision-making processes. Formerly known as the “Certificate in ESG Investing,” its name was updated on April 8, 2025, to better reflect its broader, long-term impact and investing goals.
CFA ESG Investing 2025 – Curriculum Breakdown
The table below outlines the chapter structure, content pages, question allocation, and potential exam weightings for the 2025 syllabus, updated with precise page numbers from the official TOC.
| Chapter | Description | Content Pages | Estimated Questions | Exam Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to ESG Investing | 45 (pp. 15-60) | 4-8 | 7% |
| 2 | The ESG Market | 43 (pp. 63-106) | 4-8 | 6% |
| 3 | Environmental Factors | 118 (pp. 109-227) | 8-15 | 12% |
| 4 | Social Factors | 35 (pp. 231-266) | 8-15 | 10% |
| 5 | Governance Factors | 60 (pp. 269-329) | 8-15 | 11% |
| 6 | Engagement & Stewardship | 49 (pp. 333-382) | 5-10 | 8% |
| 7 | ESG Analysis, Valuation & Integration | 46 (pp. 385-431) | 20-30 | 24% |
| 8 | ESG Portfolio Construction & Management | 71 (pp. 435-506) | 10-20 | 14% |
| 9 | Investment Mandates, Analytics & Reporting | 55 (pp. 511-566) | 5-10 | 8% |
| Total | 522(566) | ~100 | 100% |
Chapter Efficiency Metrics
The following table highlights study efficiency and perceived difficulty based on Pages per Question Ratio and candidate feedback:
| Chapter | Description | Pages per Question | Perceived Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to ESG | 6.4 | Low |
| 2 | The ESG Market | 7.2 | Low |
| 3 | Environmental Factors | 9.8 | Moderate |
| 4 | Social Factors | 3.5 | Low |
| 5 | Governance Factors | 5.5 | Moderate |
| 6 | Engagement & Stewardship | 6.1 | Moderate |
| 7 | ESG Analysis & Integration | 1.9 | High |
| 8 | Portfolio Construction | 5.1 | High |
| 9 | Client Reporting | 6.9 | Low |
| Average | 5.8 |
Key Insights:
- Highest Efficiency (Fewest Pages per Question):
- Chapter 7 (1.9) – Most exam-focused content.
- Chapter 4 (3.5) – High yield relative to length.
- Most Challenging Topics (Based on Candidate Feedback):
- Chapter 7 (ESG Analysis & Integration) – 35% find it difficult.
- Chapter 8 (Portfolio Construction) – 27 % struggle with this section.
- Chapter 3 (Environmental Analysis) – 23% discouraged to read it in full
2025 Curriculum Highlights
The CFA Sustainable Investing 2025 curriculum aligns with the Sustainable Investing Certificate framework, covering:
✅ Foundational Knowledge: ESG market dynamics, global initiatives (e.g., EU Taxonomy, TNFD). Learn More here: ESG Investing: A Beginner’s Guide
✅ Approaches & Application: ESG integration in equities, fixed income, real assets, and private markets.
✅ Reporting & Performance: Client mandates, greenwashing risks, and impact measurement (SDGs).
Topic Weights (From CFA Institute Guidelines):
- ESG Analysis & Integration (Ch7): 20-30%
- Portfolio Construction (Ch8): 10-20%
- Environmental/Social/Governance (Ch3-5): 8-15% each
- Engagement (Ch6): 5-10%
- Client Reporting (Ch9): 5-10%
For structured exam prep, visit ESGPro Mastery Institute.
Note: Page numbers sourced from CFA Institute’s 2025 TOC. Exam weightings are estimates based on CFA guidelines.
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