One of the key lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic isthat we must react swiftly to high probability, high impact risks — and delays are costly.
The climate is changing.And the risks from climate change are only going to rise over the foreseeable future. Asclimate risk management continues to develop towards being a discrete job title,managing climate risks will be an integral component of a holistic risk management approach for all industries globally.
Here’s where the GARP SCR (Sustainability & Climate Risk) qualification comes in – check out our comprehensive guide to learn more about the latest updates!
Contents
- Overview of the GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate (SCR)
- SCR Certificate In A Nutshell
- GARP SCR Pass Rate
- Exam Fees
- SCR Exam Dates
- What Are the Requirements for GARP SCR Certificate?
- Benefits of the SCR Certification
- GARP SCR vsCFA ESG Investing Certificate: Which Is Right for You?
Overview of the GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk Certificate (SCR)
Launched in January 2020 by Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) – which also runs theFRM program– SCR is a global climate risk management program designed to help professionals understand the effect of climate change on organizations and how to manage that risk.
It is created in response to growing demand for financial and non-financial firms alike to incorporatesustainability standards in their operations, primarily driven by climate change.
The SCR course is great for professionals who are looking to add climate risk management to their skillsets – not just for those working in finance but also in other disciplines such as supply chain management, operations and technology.
And it isn’t just for those professionals early in their career either, GARP expects to seemeaningful demand for the SCR coming from the more senior ranks as well.
The course consists of 6 modules, covering:
- foundations of climate change;
- policy and regulation;
- green and sustainable finance;
- the science, effects and measurement of climate-related risks;
- scenario analysis; and
- emerging issues such as health effects and geopolitical impacts.
Registration opened in May 2020 for the first SCR exam in September, with GARP reporting that there are already candidates from more than 60 countries globally, coming from a myriad of industries, company types and stages of career – all reflecting the relevance of climate change risks across geographies, industries and career level.
Since the inception of SCR exams, more than 6,981 candidates have registered for the exam so far, with more than 2,000 SCR title holders. GARP has also recently announced some changes for October 2024’s exam and onwards which we will cover below.
SCR Certificate In A Nutshell
The SCR certification is designed to equipprofessionals with the understanding on how to manage the potential economic and operational impacts of a changing climate on their organizations. The impact of climate change is vast, and certainly not limited to just finance, but other disciplines such as supply chain management, technology and operations.
For April 2024’s exam, the SCR exam consists of a one-part, computer-based testing exam consisting of 80 multiple choice questions with one case study in 3 hours. The exam is not highly quantitative and designed to be accessible to a wide audience.
From October 2024 onwards, GARP has announced some changes to the format and pricing of the SCR exam. The SCR exam format will be 90 multiple choice questions plus 2 case studies in 4 hours. There are new topics added for the October 2024 exams as well.
In terms of study hours, it is recommended that SCR exam candidates devote around 100 study hours in total to complete the qualification
The SCR exam can be taken in specific exam windows atPearson Vue test centers internationally.
In terms of pass criteria, the questions are equally weighted and there are no negative markings for incorrect answers. There are no pre-determined pass/fail rates for the SCR Exams, with the passing score determined by SCR Advisory Committee.
There are no official timelines on when or how long it takes for exam results to be released, but so far SCR exam results are typically released 4 weeks after the exams.
GARP SCR Pass Rate
Here are the SCR exam pass rates so far:
- October 2023 = 55%
- April 2023 = 57%
- October 2022 = 51%
- April 2022 = 54%
- October 2021 = 55%
- April 2021 = 52%
GARP has confirmed that cut-off scores will be determined through an industry best-practice methodology under the oversight of the SCR Advisory Committee. The expectation is that “properly prepared” candidates should fare well on the exam.
Topic Areas & Weightings
The Sustainability & Climate Risk Certificate does a great job in covering a breadth of topics in 8 chapters thatprovides a holistic overview of the effective assessment and management of climate risks.
The topics areas, in-depth description and exam weights are as below:
| Sustainability & Climate Risk Certificate Topics | Description | Topic Weights |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Climate Change | This chapter focuses on the foundational concepts of climate change, including the underlying science and global policy responses. | 12.5% |
| Sustainability | This chapter discusses the broad topic of “sustainability,” particularly as it relates to public policies, corporate actions, and financial institutions. | 12.5% |
| Climate Change Risk | This chapter focuses on the financial risks linked to climate change, mainly physical risk and transition risk. | 12.5% |
| Policy, Culture and Governance | Thechapter is all about the responses of financial institutions, regulators, and international bodies to emerging climate risks. | 12.5% |
| Green and Sustainable Finance: Instruments and Markets | This module looks into the emergence of financial sector tools and markets born out of the global response to climate change. | 12.5% |
| Climate Risk Measurement and Management | The area of focus here is the risks from climate change and how do we measure and manage these risks. | 18.8% |
| Climate Scenario Analysis | The chapter explains the development and application of climate scenario analysis, the types of scenarios that exist, and what information they can provide. | 12.5% |
| Net Zero | This chapter provides an overview of the concept of net zero and its implications for different players in the economy. | 6.2% |
Exam Fees
SCR exam fees vary depending on:
- your membership status with Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP);
- whether you have other GARP certifications such asFinancial Risk Manager (FRM)or Energy Risk Professional (ERP);
- whether you’re a new or returning candidate.
| Fees, US$ | SCR Certificate |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees | – For non-GARP members: $650 for Early registration, $750 for Standard registration (April 2024). From October 2024, it would be $725 for early registration, $825 for Standard registration. – For GARP members (Individual member): $550 for Early registration, $650 for Standard registration (April 2024). Bear in mind thatIndividual membership costs $195 per year. From October 2024, it would be $625 for early registration, $725 for Standard registration. – For candidates who are Certified FRM / ERP: $525 for Early registration, $625 for Standard registration (April 2024). From October 2024, it would be $600 for early registration, $700 for Standard registration. |
| Retake Fees (if applicable) | For one retake within next 2 exam windows (12 months): $350 Otherwise, full exam fee applies for retakes after 12 months. If the curriculum changes before the candidate retakes the SCR exam, an updated electronic version of the curriculum will be made available to the candidate free of charge. |
SCR Exam Dates
SCR exams are conducted via an in-person computer-based testing (CBT) exam at Pearson Vue centers globally.
SCR exams are held twice a year in April and October with the following key registration deadlines:
| SCR Exam Dates and Deadlines | April 2024 | October 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Registration opens | 1 Dec 2023 | 1 May 2024 |
| Early registration deadline | 31 Jan 2024 | 31 Jul 2024 |
| Standard registration deadline | 31 Mar 2024 | 30 Sep 2024 |
| Scheduling deadline | 26 Apr 2024 | 31 Oct 2024 |
| Exam Window | 20-28 Apr 2024 | 19 Oct – 2 Nov 2024 |
Once registered, you can schedule an in-person computer based test (CBT) at a Pearson VUE test center. SCR candidates must schedule an exam at least 48 hours prior to their desired exam start time, only for the exam window they’re registered for.
The in-person computer based exams slots are on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates who do not schedule an exam by the deadline must re-register and pay the applicable fees.
What Are the Requirements for GARP SCR Certificate?
Just like the Certificate in ESG Investing, there are no work experience or prior qualifications required to sit for the SCR exam.
Candidates who successfully pass the SCR exam can claim a digital badge for LinkedIn and an electronic certificate from GARP.
Benefits of the SCR Certification
Having the SCR Certificate could be a key differentiator in the risk management sector, which could be helpful if you’rejob hunting in the current economic conditions.
Similar to the Certificate in ESG Investing in terms of cost and time required, it does seem to be a cost effective investment for risk professionals to upgrade their skillset with climate risk management credentials.
By completing and earning the Sustainability & Climate Risk Certificate, you can expect to:
- Applyprinciples of sustainability and climate risk management in current and future roles;
- Improve your career prospects and increase your competitive advantage;
- Demonstrate the knowledge and tools necessary to assess and manage the sustainability and climate risk challenges many industries face.
- Gain a globally recognizedqualification (and digital badge) from GARP
- Pave your way for further finance designation such asFRM,CFA,orCAIAas you further specialize.
GARP SCR vsCFA ESG Investing Certificate: Which Is Right for You?
We are comparing GARP’s SCR vs CFA ESG Investing certificates below, although it is worth mentioning that EFFAS’ Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA) is a higher Diploma level certificate in ESG investing that is also worth considering as you’ll get a proper title upon passing (CESGA or Certified ESG Analyst), which is not present in either CFA ESG Investing or GARP’s SCR certificate below.
In short, while both qualifications focus on sustainable investing, there are some slight differences in focus about them:
- Sustainability & Climate Risk (SCR) certificate mainly focuses on educating professionals on how to manage the main environmental risk (arguably just the “E” part of ESG), i.e. climate change.
- On the other hand,Certificate in ESG Investinghas a slightly broader focus on ESG factors, and how the investment industry can adapt to that change in investor preferences. That said, it also covers a section on climate change(including climate mitigation, and adaptation and resilience) and a range of climate change initiatives.
Both GARP’s SCR andCFA Institute’s ESG Investing Certificate are available globally, with the latter offering online proctoring option in certain markets.
While both are good quality qualifications from reputable organizations, the choice depends on which certificate has more relevance to your preferred career path: investments or risk management.
| GARP’s Sustainability & Climate Risk (SCR) | CFA Institute’s ESG Investing Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | Risk management professionals of all disciplines (finance, supply chain, operations, technology etc) who are keen to learn about sustainability and how to manage climate risk in their industries.Students interested in a risk management career. | Students who are keen on an investment career; orInvestment professionals of all roles (asset management, sales & distribution, wealth management, product development, financial advice, consulting,risk etc), who are looking to understand and integrate ESG issues into the investment process |
| Pre-exam qualifications | None | None, althoughsome insights in the investment process is strongly recommended (via formal qualification or experience) |
| Number of Exams | 1 | 1 |
| Exam Frequency | 2 exam cycles a year (April and October) with 1 week exam window each | Available to book throughout the year (except weekends and holidays) Also available to book for remote/online proctoring globally throughout the year. Maximum 4 attempts in 4 months |
| Exam Format | 90 multiple-choice questions plus 2 case studies in 4 hours In-person computer-based testing only | 100 multiple-choice and item setquestions in 2 hours and 20 minutes On-site computer-based testing and remote testing |
| Pass Rates | 55% (Oct 2023) | Between 60%-75% |
| Fees and Costs | Around US$ 600-825 depending on GARP membership status or presence of other credentials | $675 |
| Study Hours Needed | 100 hours | 100-130 hours |
| Post Exam Requirements | None, although there are 20 hours of voluntary continuous professional development (CPD) every 2 years | None |
Overall, the SCR certificate seems to be a cost efficient means of augmenting and signalling your climate risk management knowledge in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
If you are in risk management, regardless of industry or discipline (finance, supply chain, operations, technology etc), the SCR certificate could prove useful in broadening your skillset as climate change issues are brought to the forefront of every company’s agenda.If you’re astudent keen to start a career in risk management of any industry, the SCR certificate can bea valuable differentiator.
Is the GARP SCR Certificate something you’d consider taking on to enhance your job prospects?Let us know in the comments below!
Meanwhile, you may find these related articles in our Beginner’s Guide series of interest:
- CESGA (Certified ESG Analyst) Course: Our Epic Guide
- CFA Institute’s Certificate in ESG Investing: A Beginner’s Guide
- CFA Exams: A Beginner’s Guide
- IMC (Investment Management Certificate): A Beginner’s Guide
- CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst): A Beginner’s Guide
- FRM (Financial Risk Manager): A Beginner’s Guide
