The Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) has launched its first ESG e-learning module on its online portal iLearn.

The module,” Sustainable Investing and MAS Guidelines on Environmental Risk Management”, seeks to provide the asset management industry with an introduction to sustainable investing, along with insights on the key factors driving sustainable investment, the various methods to practice sustainable investing as well as the challenges of ESG adoption in Asia, according to a statement from the IMAS.

It also dives deep into the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Guidelines on Environmental Risk Management for Asset Managers, which were issued in December, and supplemented with case studies to facilitate application by the industry.

The module was created with the support of the IMAS Environmental Risk Management Working Group (EnRM WG), which comprises representative fund management firms who had previously worked with the Monetary Authority of Singapore to co-create the environmental guidelines for asset managers,  the association noted.

“Establishing an ESG investment framework is the natural step for investors to put the stewardship mindset into practice, and IMAS’ iLearn platform will provide the necessary knowledge and skills for them to start the journey,” Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre, said in the statement.

Just this year, the IMAS also co-drafted the EnRM guidelines and co-funded a handbook on implementing environmental risk management. The handbook was issued by the Green Finance Industry Taskforce convened by the MAS, which IMAS is a strategic partner of, to offer guidance on best practices in environmental risk management.

“IMAS recognises that great potential in the ESG sector also brings about challenges and we are strongly committed to assisting investment managers to overcome these challenges to reap the long-term benefits,” Carmen Wee, CEO of IMAS, said in the statement.

“By utilising technology in this digitally-savvy society, we believe that iLearn is able to facilitate continuous professional development and cement our competitive position as the representative body of investment managers in Singapore,” she added.