Affiliate Promotion Policy – Products and Services
Introduction
This Policy applies to all approved affiliates of The ESG Institute Limited ("the Company") who promote the Company's products and services in return for commission or other consideration (the "Ambassador Programme").
It applies to Alumni and Members of The ESG Institute who are authorised to refer learners, clients, and organisations to the Company via affiliate links, referral forms, or similar mechanisms.
This Policy is issued in accordance with applicable advertising, consumer protection, and fair-trading principles under Isle of Man law, including the Consumer Protection (Unfair Trading) Act 1999 (Isle of Man), the Misleading Marketing Regulations, and associated guidance and codes of practice. Nothing in this Policy removes or diminishes any rights or obligations arising under applicable law or regulation.
The Company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and responsibility in the promotion of its products and services. Promotion must protect prospective clients and learners, uphold the Company's credibility, and safeguard its reputation.
Scope of This Policy
This Policy governs the promotion of all Company products and services by approved affiliates, including:
Online training programmes and courses
Corporate and bespoke training programmes
ESG advisory services
The Certified Sustainable Business (CSB) certification scheme
Training accreditation services
Membership of The ESG Institute
It covers all affiliate activity that results in enrolment, engagement, purchase, or referral in connection with any of the above, including marketing communications related to content, pricing, accreditation, outcomes, and eligibility.
This Policy does not govern:
Strategic partners, sponsors, or commercial introducers operating under separate agreements
Non-commission-based referrals or informal recommendations
Where multiple affiliate relationships exist, the applicable policy or agreement will be determined by the nature of the product or service being promoted.
Policy Statement
The ESG Institute adopts a zero-tolerance approach to misleading, inaccurate, or irresponsible promotion of its products and services.
Affiliates act as ambassadors of the Company and are expected to promote all products and services truthfully, professionally, and in alignment with the Company's mission to advance sustainability education and practice worldwide. Any misrepresentation, exaggerated claim, or unethical marketing practice will not be tolerated and may result in suspension or termination of affiliate status and the withholding of commissions.
Eligibility
Participation in the Ambassador Programme is restricted to individuals who are:
Alumni who have completed at least one course with The ESG Institute, or
Registered Members of The ESG Institute
If an applicant is not yet part of the Company's community, they must first complete a course or become a Member before affiliate access will be granted. This requirement ensures that affiliates have first-hand knowledge of the Company's programmes and values and can promote them with credibility and integrity.
Definitions
For the purposes of this Policy:
Affiliate means an individual or entity approved by the Company to promote its products and services in return for commission.
Ambassador Programme means the formal referral arrangement operated by the Company for the promotion of its products and services via its designated platform and referral mechanisms.
Promotion includes any written, verbal, visual, digital, or electronic communication intended to encourage enrolment, engagement, or purchase in connection with any Company product or service.
Misleading Promotion means any statement, omission, or presentation that may cause a prospective client or learner to form an incorrect understanding of the nature, value, outcomes, accreditation, pricing, or scope of any product or service.
Referral means the act of introducing a prospective client or learner to the Company, whether via an affiliate link, the Company's referral form, or direct notification to the Company
Promotion and referral activity may occur online or offline, including on social media, websites, emails, events, webinars, or professional networks.
Responsibilities
The Company
The Executive Leadership Team is responsible for oversight of the Ambassador Programme, approval of affiliates, provision of official resources, monitoring compliance, and reporting material issues to the Board where appropriate.
Affiliates
Affiliates are responsible for:
Ensuring all promotional statements are accurate and up to date
Using only approved or official information when describing products and services
Submitting referrals for non-course products via the Company's designated referral form before any client contact is made by the Company
Acting ethically and professionally at all times
Complying with this Policy and any related guidance
Seeking clarification where unsure about permissible claims
Affiliates are responsible for the content and conduct of their promotional and referral activities.
Referral Attribution
For online course referrals, attribution is tracked automatically via the affiliate's personalised link on the Company's learning platform.
For all other products and services (including corporate training, advisory, CSB certification, accreditation, and membership), affiliates must submit a referral via the Company's designated referral form at www.the-esg-institute.org/ambassador-referral before the prospective client makes direct contact with the Company. Referrals submitted after the Company has already been contacted by the client independently may not qualify for commission. The Company will confirm attribution in writing following each referral submission.
Commission rates applicable to each product and service are set out in the Ambassador Programme's Product and Commission Guide, which forms part of the resources available in the Ambassador community. Rates may be updated from time to time, and affiliates will be notified of any changes.
Promotion Standards
Affiliates must adhere to the following standards at all times.
Accuracy
All statements regarding programme content, service scope, pricing, accreditation, delivery format, duration, outcomes, and target audience must be factually correct and consistent with official information published by the Company.
Authenticity
Affiliates may share personal experiences or opinions, provided they are genuine, balanced, and not exaggerated. Personal testimonials must not be presented as guaranteed outcomes.
Responsible Marketing
Affiliates must not use pressure-based sales tactics, sensational language, artificial urgency, or misleading comparisons. Promotion must allow prospective clients and learners to make informed decisions.
Mission Alignment
All promotion should align with the Company's mission and avoid claims that could undermine trust in ESG, sustainability learning, or the Company's services.
Prohibited Conduct
Affiliates must not:
Guarantee employment, promotions, income, financial returns, certification outcomes, or advisory results
Present courses, advisory services, or certifications as substitutes for legal, regulatory, or professional advice
Misrepresent accreditation, regulatory approval, or institutional recognition
Claim endorsement by governments, regulators, or international bodies unless explicitly stated by the Company
Advertise unofficial pricing, discounts, or offers
Engage in spam, unsolicited mass messaging, or deceptive practices
Use paid advertising or trademarked keywords without prior written approval
Submit referrals for contacts they have not genuinely introduced to or engaged with on behalf of the Company
Approach existing Company clients or contacts as referrals where no Ambassador involvement took place
Any breach of this section may be treated as a serious violation of this Policy.
Brand and Intellectual Property
Affiliates may use the Company's name, logos, and branding materials only where expressly authorised.
Affiliates must not modify branding, create materials that appear to be official Company communications, or register domains, social media accounts, or advertising assets using the Company's name or trademarks without permission.
Monitoring and Enforcement
The Company reserves the right to monitor affiliate promotional and referral activities and to request amendments or removal of non-compliant content.
Where this Policy is breached, the Company may:
Require corrective action
Suspend or terminate affiliate status
Withhold unpaid commissions
Take further action where necessary to protect clients, learners, or the Company
Confidentiality and Protection from Retaliation
Concerns raised in good faith regarding affiliate conduct or compliance will be handled discreetly. No affiliate will suffer retaliation for raising a genuine concern or cooperating with an investigation.
Affiliates who knowingly make false or malicious allegations may be subject to removal from the Ambassador Programme.
Record-Keeping
The Company will maintain appropriate records of affiliate approvals, referral submissions, commission payments, compliance actions, and enforcement measures in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the Data Protection Act 2018 (Isle of Man).
Training and Guidance
The Company may provide affiliates with written guidance, official messaging, and educational resources to support responsible promotion and referral activity. Affiliates are expected to familiarise themselves with all guidance provided, including the Product and Commission Guide and any referral process instructions available in the Ambassador community.
Review
This policy is to be reviewed every two years, or earlier if there are significant changes in law or our operations.
Latest update: July 2026.
This Policy is non-contractual and may be amended at the Company's discretion. Participation in the Ambassador Programme constitutes acceptance of this Policy.