# How to Install the ESG Sustainability Analyst Claude Plugin (Cowork & Code)
> Step-by-step installation guide for the ESG Sustainability Analyst Claude plugin from The AI Career Lab — works in both Claude Cowork (chat) and Claude Code (terminal). KPI extraction, materiality scoring, disclosure drafting, and Scope 3 planning as native slash commands.
**Author:** [Alex Lowe](https://theaicareerlab.com/about) — Founder, The AI Career Lab
**Published:** 2026-05-20
**Canonical URL:** https://theaicareerlab.com/blog/how-to-install-esg-sustainability-analyst-claude-plugin
**Profession:** esg-sustainability-analyst
**Category:** how-to
**Tags:** ESG, sustainability, Claude Cowork, Claude Code, plugin install, 2026
---> **Don't want to install anything?** You don't have to. The [free web tools for ESG sustainability analysts](/professions/esg-sustainability-analyst) on The AI Career Lab give you the same pre-built workflows in your browser — five runs a day on a free account, no terminal, no install. [Create a free account](/sign-up) if you'd rather skip straight to the tools.

The ESG Sustainability Analyst Claude plugin from The AI Career Lab is the fastest way to turn Claude into an ESG-aware co-worker. It bundles 4 pre-built slash commands and 2 auto-activating skills that already know what working ESG analysts actually do — KPI extraction with framework mapping (GRI, SASB/IFRS, TCFD, ESRS), SASB materiality risk scoring, regulator-grade disclosure drafting (CSRD, SEC, IFRS S1/S2, UK SECR, CA SB-253), and Scope 3 footprint planning.

**The plugin works in both runtimes Claude offers:**

- **Claude Cowork** — the chat product at claude.ai. The easiest path. Requires a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise).
- **Claude Code** — the terminal CLI. Particularly useful for ESG analysts since Claude Code can read your underlying data files (CSV emissions exports, supplier lists, prior-period filings) directly. Requires Node.js + npm.

## What this plugin gives you

A normal Claude session is a blank chat window. A plugin replaces that with **slash commands** — pre-built shortcuts that contain the structure, formatting rules, and ESG conventions for a specific task.

In this plugin you get:

- `/kpi-extraction` — extracts ESG KPIs from a corporate report and maps to GRI, SASB/IFRS, TCFD, ESRS. Flags missing required disclosures
- `/materiality-scoring` — scores against SASB-material issues for the industry with single vs double materiality framing
- `/disclosure-draft` — drafts regulator-grade narratives in the structure required by the framework (CSRD/ESRS, SEC, IFRS S1+S2, UK SECR, CA SB-253). Bracketed placeholders for missing data
- `/scope3-planning` — per-category Scope 3 assessment with data quality tier and improvement roadmap

## Which runtime should you use?

**Use Claude Cowork if:**
- You already use claude.ai for chat work
- You prefer a graphical interface to a terminal
- You don't want to install anything else on your machine
- You have a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise)

**Use Claude Code if:**
- You're already in a terminal alongside your data files
- You want Claude to read your actual CSV emissions exports, supplier data, prior-period filings directly
- You'd rather pay per use than subscribe — Claude Code also runs on an Anthropic API key with pay-as-you-go billing (it is not free either way: it needs a Pro/Max/Team plan or API credits)

## Path A: Install in Claude Cowork (easiest, no command lines)

1. Open [claude.ai](https://claude.ai) in your browser and sign in.
2. Make sure you're on a paid plan (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise).
3. Open the plugin settings and click **Add marketplace**.
4. In the modal, paste this into the URL field:

   ```
   alexclowe/awesome-claude-cowork-plugins
   ```

5. Click **Sync**. Claude Cowork pulls the marketplace catalog from the public [alexclowe/awesome-claude-cowork-plugins](https://github.com/alexclowe/awesome-claude-cowork-plugins) repo.
6. Browse the marketplace. Find the **ESG Sustainability Analyst** plugin and click **Install**.

## Path B: Install in Claude Code (terminal CLI, two commands)

### One-time Claude Code setup

1. **Install Claude Code.** Open a terminal and run:

   ```
   npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
   ```

2. **Sign in once.** Run `claude` in your terminal and follow the sign-in flow.

### Install the plugin

Inside Claude Code, run these two commands:

```
/plugin marketplace add alexclowe/awesome-claude-cowork-plugins
/plugin install esg-sustainability-analyst@awesome-claude-cowork-plugins
```

To verify, type `/help` and you should see the new commands listed alongside Claude Code's built-ins.

## Your first command

For most ESG analysts, the highest-leverage starting point is KPI extraction — it's the per-company workflow that runs every reporting cycle:

```
/kpi-extraction
```

When you run it, Claude asks for the report source, content (paste relevant sections), frameworks to map to, and reporting period. The output is extracted KPIs with values + units + sources + methodology + assurance status, plus framework mapping (GRI / SASB / IFRS S1+S2 / TCFD / ESRS / EU Taxonomy), plus a gaps-and-caveats section.

That structured extraction becomes the input to the materiality scoring, disclosure drafting, and Scope 3 planning workflows. It's the foundation for the rest.

## First 4 workflows to try after install

1. **KPI extraction** — `/kpi-extraction` in the plugin, or [/tools/esg-kpi-extraction](/tools/esg-kpi-extraction) on the web. Run this on the next company you cover
2. **Materiality scoring** — `/materiality-scoring` in the plugin, or [/tools/esg-materiality-risk-score](/tools/esg-materiality-risk-score) on the web. Compare to commercial ratings — the rationale gap is where you add value
3. **Disclosure drafting** — `/disclosure-draft` in the plugin, or [/tools/esg-disclosure-draft](/tools/esg-disclosure-draft) on the web. Run before the accounting+legal+assurance review meeting
4. **Scope 3 planning** — `/scope3-planning` in the plugin, or [/tools/esg-scope3-footprint](/tools/esg-scope3-footprint) on the web. Run when scoping a new Scope 3 inventory

## Skills you get for free

This plugin also includes Claude Skills that activate automatically when you're working on relevant tasks:

- **Disclosure Discipline** — when drafting disclosure content, automatically refuses to invent values; uses bracketed placeholders for missing data; flags methodology disclosure requirements
- **Framework Version Awareness** — when citing disclosure references, surfaces version-specific differences (GRI 2021 universal revision, SASB now under IFRS, TCFD now integrated into IFRS S2, ESRS phase-in dates)

The first time the disclosure discipline skill auto-activates and refuses to fill in a Scope 3 number you didn't provide — leaving it as `[INSERT SCOPE 3 CATEGORY 11 — DATA TEAM TO PROVIDE]` — you'll see the difference between using Claude generically and using Claude as an ESG analyst's co-worker.

## Where to go from here

- **[Claude Cowork playbook for ESG analysts](/resources/claude-cowork-esg-sustainability-analyst)** — the full setup guide with the five high-leverage prompt structures
- **[Free web tools for ESG analysts](/professions/esg-sustainability-analyst)** — same workflows, browser-based, no install required
- **[Best AI Tools for ESG Sustainability Analysts in 2026](/blog/best-ai-tools-for-esg-sustainability-analysts-2026)** — the broader landscape including Claude, GHG accounting platforms, ESG data providers, disclosure platforms, and assurance partners
- **[AI for ESG Sustainability Analysts guide](/blog/ai-for-esg-sustainability-analysts-guide)** — the working playbook for disclosure-grade work without inventing the numbers

## Common issues

**I don't see the "Add marketplace" option in Claude Cowork.** You need to be on a paid plan. If you're on a free plan, install via Claude Code instead — it's free.

**The marketplace sync failed in Claude Cowork.** Double-check the URL field has exactly `alexclowe/awesome-claude-cowork-plugins` — a GitHub `owner/repo` format, no `https://`, no trailing slash.

**The slash commands aren't showing up after install.** Start a new chat (Cowork) or type `/help` (Claude Code). If you see the built-in commands but not the new ones, the install didn't complete — re-run the install.

**I want to use this without installing anything.** Use the [free web tools](/professions/esg-sustainability-analyst) instead. Same workflows, browser-based, no install or paid plan.

## Ready to try it without installing

[Create your free AI Career Lab account](/sign-up) and try the ESG analyst tools today. No credit card required.

---

*This article is general guidance for ESG sustainability analysts. ESG disclosure frameworks (CSRD/ESRS, SEC climate-related disclosures, IFRS S1/S2, UK SECR, California SB-253/261, GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and Scope 3 Standard) are the authoritative references for their respective scopes. The tools described produce drafts and analytical artifacts for accounting, legal, and assurance review — they do not produce final disclosures. Specific applicability questions remain with your accounting, legal, and assurance providers.*
---

*Canonical version: https://theaicareerlab.com/blog/how-to-install-esg-sustainability-analyst-claude-plugin*
*This document is the Markdown companion served for AI crawlers and answer engines. See the canonical URL for the rendered version with navigation, related content, and interactive elements.*