The Responsible Investment Academy will launch its first suite of programs at the seventh international responsible investment conference in Sydney next month.

The Responsible Investment Academy, backed by the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA), has been developing programs to help investment professionals integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into their existing framework.

RI Academy programs will enable signatories to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) to better achieve their objectives through a more insightful analysis of ESG factors within the scope of investment management.

"Global markets are now at an inflection point where any individual making investment decisions needs a practical knowledge of ESG risks and opportunities and the insights available through responsible investing," said Neb Jovicic, RI Academy director.

"We are rapidly reaching the stage where employers will consider demonstrable knowledge and skills in these areas to be essential attributes for analysts, portfolio managers and asset owners," he said.

The RI Academy launch will take place on Wednesday 15 September, the second day of the RIAA conference.

Jovicic said the Essentials Pathway, a series of seven introductory lessons, will be the first program launched and will be available globally through the RI Academy's learning portal.

The Academy will provide an affiliate hosting program so large financial institutions and associations can develop region- or theme-based modules; and it will provide collaborative forums.

It is backed by an advisory council, which includes the Financial Planning Association, Investment and Financial Services Association and the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, among others.