Focus on ESG Principle 6 Social

Social factors are at the heart of ESG — shaping how organisations treat people, engage communities, and contribute to society. Clause 6 of ISO IWA 48:2024 provides a practical, principles-based framework to help organisations identify, manage, and measure their social impacts, risks, and opportunities in a structured and credible way.

This microcredential focuses on Clause 6 – Social, guiding learners through internal workforce issues, direct stakeholder responsibilities, and broader community and societal impacts. You’ll explore how social considerations extend beyond compliance to include human rights, inclusion, health and wellbeing, fair operating practices, and long-term community outcomes.

Rather than treating social impact as abstract or difficult to measure, ISO IWA 48 helps organisations connect social values to governance, decision-making, and KPIs — enabling transparent reporting, accountability, and sustained positive outcomes.

Who this course is for

This course is designed for professionals responsible for people, community, and social impact within ESG, or those supporting organisations in managing social risks and opportunities.

It’s ideal for:

• ESG, sustainability, and social impact professionals
• HR, people and culture, and workplace relations leaders
• Risk, compliance, and governance practitioners
• Consultants supporting ESG or social value initiatives
• Auditors and assurance professionals building ESG capability

No prior ESG or ISO experience is required.

What you’ll learn

By completing this microcredential, you’ll learn how to:

• Interpret the intent and scope of ISO IWA 48:2024 Clause 6
• Understand the three categories of social considerations: internal, direct stakeholders, and wider society
• Apply a risk- and opportunity-based social framework
• Identify and assess social materiality and impacts
• Translate social risks into practical actions and programmes
• Use examples of social actions across labour practices, human rights, inclusion, and community outcomes
• Apply social KPIs, including first- and second-priority indicators
• Support transparent reporting of social outcomes over time

What you’ll be able to do

After completing the course, you’ll be able to:

• Support organisations in embedding social considerations into ESG strategy
• Identify and prioritise social risks and opportunities across the value chain
• Assist with setting measurable social objectives and targets
• Apply and interpret social KPIs aligned with international standards
• Strengthen trust with employees, customers, and communities
• Prepare for more advanced ESG implementation, audit, or assurance pathways

This microcredential can be stacked with other ISO IWA 48 ESG modules — including Environmental (Clause 5) and Governance-focused learning — or used as a foundation for future ESG internal auditor and lead auditor pathways within ATOL.