The ESG Exchange

What The ESG Exchange does

The ESG Exchange (operating as ESGx) is a non-profit global knowledge platform established in June 2022 as an initiative of the Good Governance Academy, headquartered at Wits Business School in Johannesburg, South Africa. The organization focuses on building organizational and individual capacity for sustainability reporting and ESG practices, with a stated goal of certifying 10 million people by 2030 based on a 'theory of 30%' threshold for systemic change. Its audience spans sustainability officers, board directors, executives, investors, and organizations globally that need access to decision-useful sustainability information aligned with IFRS S1/S2, ISSB, GRI, SASB, CSRD, and TCFD frameworks.

The core product offering centers on AI-enabled How-To Playbooks — structured, interactive learning journeys that guide organizations through Plan, Do, Check, Act management system steps for sustainability implementation. These playbooks are supplemented by practical templates, checklists, tables, workbooks, and online expert support from a Technical Committee of global sustainability experts. The platform applies AI to summarize content and balance unintended bias, with a crowdsourced wiki model for continual improvement. The organization also delivers free CPD-accredited webinars through two recurring series: Tech Talks with Peadar Duffy and First Tuesdays with Alex Hetherington, alongside individual capacity-building certifications.

The ESG Exchange operates on a freemium model with free educational content and webinars, relying on a multi-stakeholder funding model drawing from corporate sponsors, multilateral organizations, and NGOs. Its go-to-market approach is community-led and event-driven, amplified through an international network of 70+ partner organizations including GRI, ISSB, IFRS Foundation, IOSCO, ICAEW, Deloitte, WBCSD, MSCI, JSE, Cambridge CISL, and numerous other standards bodies, professional services firms, and academic institutions. Leadership comprises CEO and Technical Committee Chair Peadar Duffy (also Global ESG Practice Lead at Archer Integrated Risk Management), Chief Strategy Officer Carolynn Chalmers (co-editor of ISO 37000), and Founding Patron Prof. Mervyn King (SC), former Judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa and Chair Emeritus of GRI. No revenue figures, funding rounds, or commercial pricing have been publicly disclosed.

Name

The ESG Exchange

Legal name

The ESG Exchange

Website

https://theesgexchange.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The ESG Exchange is a non-profit global knowledge platform, established in 2022 under the Good Governance Academy, that delivers AI-enabled How-To Playbooks, free CPD-accredited webinars, and individual certifications to build sustainability capacity for organizations, directors, sustainability officers, and investors worldwide across 15+ markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ESG/Sustainability Capacity Building

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

ESG Data Platforms, Controls & Audit Readiness (Data quality, internal controls) (EUAHAJAN)

Keywords

• ESG capacity building
• Sustainability reporting
• ESG education
• Governance advisory
• Sustainability training

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Capacity Building Solutions: The organization provides How-To Playbooks and certifications through their capacity building platform. Programs are designed to fast-track individual and organisations' understanding of sustainability principles and practices.
2. CPD Accredited Events: Free online webinars presented by global experts with CPD accreditation, making sustainability reporting know-how accessible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The ESG Exchange delivers AI-enabled How-To Playbooks that provide standardized, structured learning journeys through sustainability implementation, supported by templates, checklists, workbooks, and online expert advisory services. Programs are aligned with major frameworks (IFRS S1/S2, CSRD, TCFD, GRI, SASB) and lead to capacity-building certifications. All content is delivered through a global online platform and CPD-accredited webinars at no cost to users.

Product overview

The ESG Exchange is a global knowledge platform offering How-To Playbooks as its primary product, supplemented by practical implementation tools (templates, checklists, tables, workbooks) and online expert support services. The platform uses AI-enabled interactive navigation and standardized structured journeys aligned with Plan-Do-Check-Act management system steps. The offering is designed for organizational capacity building in sustainability practices, with certification options for individuals recognizing their level of understanding. The platform collaborates with a global network of experts and integrates guidance aligned with major frameworks including IFRS S1/S2, CSRD, TCFD, GRI, and SASB.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• How-To Playbooks: Standardized, structured journeys through aggregated content using AI and interactive navigation aligned with organizational management system steps (Plan, Do, Check, Act).
• First Tuesdays
• Tech Talks

Products and services

• How-To Playbooks Standardized, structured learning journeys using AI and interactive navigation that guide organizations through implementing sustainability management systems. Designed for every organizational role in any organization regardless of type, industry, or country, and aligned with IFRS S1/S2, CSRD, TCFD, GRI, and SASB frameworks.
• Templates, Checklists, Tables and Workbooks Practical implementation tools including governance frameworks, directives, policies, organizational role responsibilities, project management checklists, guidelines, templates, and engagement approaches to support sustainability implementation across organizations.
• Online Advisors and Expert Support Online expert support including SASB expert advisory, sustainability accounting and governance experts, and climate modelling platform integration that provides guidance for sustainability implementation across organizations.
• Certifications Capacity Building Units that recognize levels of understanding for all organizational roles in all organizations, supporting individual certification through rapid consumption of available know-how.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 million people with certified sustainability capacity by 2030
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in The ESG Exchange's international network providing sustainability reporting standards expertise.
• International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing IFRS S1 and S2 sustainability disclosure standards expertise.
• IOSCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Organisation of Securities Commissions partnership for sustainable finance standards.
• ICAEWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales partnership for accounting and sustainability expertise.
• DeloittemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm partnership providing sustainability reporting and ESG expertise.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partnership with WBCSD for sustainability standards and best practices.
• Capitals CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for natural, social, and human capital assessment frameworks and protocols.
• International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IFAC for accountancy profession sustainability expertise.
• Good Governance AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization - The ESG Exchange is an initiative of the Good Governance Academy, a non-profit focused on governance principles.
• Archer Integrated Risk ManagementmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal ESG Practice Lead Peadar Duffy is also Global ESG Practice Lead at Archer, providing risk management expertise.
• ProtivitimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior Managing Director Robert Hirth serves on the Governing Council. Provides consulting expertise.
• JSE LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohannesburg Stock Exchange partnership for sustainable finance and responsible investment index expertise.
• International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for integrated reporting framework and integrated thinking principles.
• SHIFTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident Caroline Rees serves on the Governing Council. SHIFT focuses on business and human rights.
• World Benchmarking AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChairman Paul Druckman serves on the Governing Council. Partnership for benchmarking sustainability performance.
• Value Balancing AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for impact valuation and sustainability accounting methodologies.
• Accountancy EuropemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with European accountancy organizations for sustainability reporting expertise.
• AICPAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants partnership for sustainability assurance expertise.
• Financial Conduct Authority - UKmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK financial regulator partnership for sustainable finance and climate disclosure requirements.
• The Carbon CallmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for climate accounting and transparency initiatives.
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New ZealandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CA ANZ for accountancy and sustainability expertise in Asia-Pacific.
• Asian Centre for Corporate Governance and SustainabilitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for corporate governance and sustainability expertise in Asia.
• LinklatersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational law firm partnership for ESG legal and governance expertise.
• Deakin UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partnership for academic research and education in sustainability.
• Monash UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partnership for sustainability education and research.
• Institute for Sustainable InfrastructureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sustainable infrastructure frameworks and guidelines.
• ABN AMROminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch bank partnership for sustainable finance expertise.
• Globally Responsible Leadership InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Mark Drewell serves on the Governing Council. Partnership for responsible leadership development.
• CISL (Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Cambridge University institute for sustainability leadership expertise.
• International Sustainability Resilience CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sustainability resilience and climate adaptation expertise.
• Institute of Internal AuditorsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for internal controls and sustainability reporting assurance expertise.
• Pan African Federation of AccountantsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for accountancy expertise across African continent.
• TrialoguemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African sustainability consultancy partnership for integrated thinking assessments.
• Control RisksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of First Tuesdays webinar on Climate Risk. Global specialist risk consultancy.
• EDM CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for data management and ESG data standards.
• MSCImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ESG ratings and climate risk assessment methodologies.
• IFRS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for IFRS sustainability standards and knowledge hub.
• ecodaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental consulting partnership for sustainability expertise.
• XBRL InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sustainability data tagging and reporting standards.
• AssentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for supply chain sustainability and compliance expertise.
• DoconomyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for financial sector sustainability and impact tracking tools.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Greenly: Carbon accounting and ESG enablement platform targeted at SMEs, with training and educational content for sustainability champions. Adjacent peer in the AI-enabled ESG capacity-building space.
• Persefoni: AI-enabled climate and ESG management platform with built-in enablement and training content. Competes in the AI-driven ESG capacity layer for enterprise sustainability teams.
• Workiva: Cloud platform for ESG and financial reporting with embedded training and assurance workflows. Competes for the same sustainability-controller persona via software, complementing ESGx's education-led approach.
• SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board): Industry-specific sustainability accounting standards now consolidated under the IFRS Foundation, with associated training and credentialing for preparers. Closely aligned with the ESG Exchange's industry-agnostic Playbook framing.

Broad incumbents

• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): Global environmental disclosure system covering climate, water, and forests with training and accreditation programmes for reporters and data providers. Operates a parallel capacity-building ecosystem targeting the same sustainability officer persona.
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): The setter of the most widely used sustainability reporting standards and a partner of the ESG Exchange. Operates its own training and capacity-building programmes (GRI Academy) and shares the same audience of sustainability officers and reporters, giving GRI an installed base ESGx must integrate with rather than displace.
• Deloitte (Sustainability & ESG services): Big Four advisory with deep ESG reporting, assurance, and academy/training offerings for enterprise clients. Overlaps with the ESG Exchange on capacity-building for sustainability controllers, and is itself a major partner in the international network.
• IFRS Foundation / ISSB: Issuer of IFRS S1 and S2 sustainability disclosure standards and a core partner of the ESG Exchange. Runs its own knowledge hub and capacity-building for adoptors; as the dominant global standard-setter, it shapes the agenda the ESG Exchange's Playbooks are designed to implement.

Direct peers

• Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL): University-affiliated executive education and capacity-building programmes for sustainability leaders and boards. A direct competitor in the executive and director-level ESG training market and an explicit partner of the ESG Exchange.
• Accountancy Europe (and ICAEW ESG): European accountancy bodies running sustainability training and CPD-accredited courses for accountants and auditors. They deliver sector-specific capacity similar to ESGx and are explicit network partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheESGExchange
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theesgexchange

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The ESG Exchange