A pioneering new partnership to drive sustainable finance innovation

In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, sustainability has become a critical imperative for organisations globally. As the demand for sustainable finance expertise grows, so to does the need for comprehensive, high-quality training in this field. Recognising this growing demand, WeESG and the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) have forged a groundbreaking partnership to revolutionise sustainable finance Cambridge education.

Uniting academic excellence and practical expertise

This collaboration brings together two organisations with complementary strengths. CISL, with its globally recognised brand and extensive networks, brings a history of academic rigour and a legacy of shaping sustainability leaders. WeESG brings its extensive library of sustainable finance technical training programmes and a curated network of expert practitioners, offering real-world insights that bridge the gap between theory and application.

Comprehensive solutions for financial institutions

This now offers our clients a ‘one-stop shop’ for sustainable finance training, capable of delivering programmes at scale across multiple levels of an organisation. By combining CISL’s academic excellence with WeESG’s practitioner-led approach, we can now directly address the growing need across the finance industry for comprehensive, tailored training solutions.

Flexible and tailored learning experiences

This approach to sustainable finance education is multifaceted, designed to meet the diverse learning needs of all financial institutions in any market. It offers flexible delivery formats and timeframes, allowing for customised programmes that cater to unique organisational requirements. This adaptability is crucial in an industry where time is limited and learning needs vary widely across different roles and levels.

Shaping the future of sustainable finance together

As we face unprecedented global challenges, the role of finance in driving sustainable solutions becomes ever more critical. Our partnership represents a significant step forward in equipping finance professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to lead this transformation. By investing in sustainability leadership training, financial institutions can position themselves at the forefront of the sustainable finance revolution, driving positive change while ensuring their own long-term success.

This pioneering partnership between WeESG and CISL marks a new chapter in sustainable finance education. It offers a unique opportunity for financial institutions to access world-class training that combines academic excellence with practical insights, preparing them to lead in an increasingly sustainability-focused world. As we move forward, this collaboration will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable finance and, by extension, the future of our planet.

WeESG now based in CISL’s Entopia Building

Further building on this partnership, WeESG is proud to be based in CISL’s groundbreaking Entopia Building, a fitting home for an organisation dedicated to sustainable finance training. The groundbreaking Entopia Building, which also houses the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is a pinnacle in sustainable building design and retrofit.

A beacon of sustainability

Entopia stands as a world-first in retrofitted sustainable office buildings, setting new standards for low energy use, carbon emissions, and impact on natural resources. This former 1930s telephone exchange has been transformed into an ultra-low carbon sustainability hub. The building’s sustainability credentials are truly impressive:

• It has achieved the Passivhaus EnerPHit standard, BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, and is targeting WELL Gold certification.
• The retrofit has saved 84% in whole-life carbon compared to a standard office retrofit.
• It delivers 75% lower heating demand compared to an average office building.
• Its airtightness is more than five times that required by building regulations.

Circular economy in action

The Entopia Building exemplifies circular economy principles, minimising the use of new materials through innovative design and reuse strategies1. This approach aligns perfectly with WeESG’s focus on sustainable finance and responsible resource management.

A living laboratory

As a Living Lab, the Entopia Building provides a collaborative open innovation platform to accelerate the adoption of solutions and sustainable finance innovations in the built environment. This creates an ideal environment for WeESG to stay at the forefront of sustainable finance practices and to collaborate with other pioneers in the field.

The perfect home for WeESG

For WeESG, being based in the Entopia Building is more than just about office space. It represents a commitment to the principles of sustainability that we champion in our training programmes. The building serves as a tangible example of what can be achieved through innovative thinking, collaboration, and a dedication to sustainability – values that are at the core of WeESG’s mission.

By making the Entopia Building its new home, WeESG is not just talking about sustainability – its living it. This environment inspires both our team and our clients, providing a real-world example of the positive impact that sustainable practices can have. It reinforces WeESG credibility as a leader in sustainable finance training and demonstrates our commitment to practising what we preach.

The Entopia Building, with its world-leading sustainability features and innovative approach, provides the perfect backdrop for WeESG’s work in advancing sustainable finance education. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when sustainability is placed at the heart of design and operations – a principle that WeESG strives to instil in the financial sector through our training programmes.