Diploma in Sustainable Finance (Course No : DF021)
Sustainable finance became prominent after the 2008 financial crises as there were criticism that that the banks and corporations were partially responsible for crises. Scholars and experts were proposing new capitalism in a new context which is based on shared economic and social value, and sustainable finance. Sustainable finance is quickly becoming a core part of the mission of financial institutions and companies. This program covers basic principles of sustainable finance, interdependence between finance and sustainability, investment and financing of climate-friendly investments.
This Executive Diploma in Sustainable Finance is an online program designed for leaders, managers, executives who are passionate about incorporating ESG (economic, social and governance) goals to finance and corporation activities. There is an increasing demand for professional who expertise themselves in both finance and sustainability. After completing the course, you will be awarded Executive Diploma in Sustainable finance and will become one of the elite financial professional who is equipped with the skills and knowledge to to incorporate ECG (Environmental, social and governance) factors in the process of financial decision making process.
Background
The Executive Diploma in Sustainable Finance is a 3 – 6 months program that combines both theory with practice of sustainable finance. The course is taught online by expert faculty from GSBE. There are six taught modules, one case study module and a compulsory capstone writing project.
Target Audience : This course is also suitable for
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Environmental Engineers
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Sales managers of financial institutions
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Compliance officers, executive directors and directors
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Fund and portfolio managers
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Risk analysts and risk managers
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Financial products development team members
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Economists and consultants
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Bloggers and business journalists.
Admission Eligibility
To be admitted to the Executive Diploma Program in Sustainable Finance, students must have a basic degree or diploma from an accredited academic institution subject to minimum entrance requirements prescribed by the school.
Duration of the course
The duration of the course will be 3 – 6 months.
Medium of Instruction
Medium of Instruction will be English
Course Fee
Course fee – 100% online Euro 1,000
On campus – Euro 3,000 (Classes will be held in Weekends in Geneva).
Scholarships – Partial scholarships are available for the Executive Diploma in Sustainable Finance. The partial scholarship are sponsored by European Institute for Economics, Political Science and Social Research (EIEPSR), Switzerland. Students need to send an email with their CV or LinkedIn profile to admission@genevasbe.com or apply online via scholarship page.
Learning materials and access to learning material system
GSBE is committed to provide all the relevant reference materials including textbooks. Students will be given free e-book from our library. Students are not required to purchase any books. Students will get 12 months access to the system till all modules are completed.
Mode of learning
Online Course – This Executive Diploma in Sustainable Finance 100% online assignment based course.
On campus – Blended course. 60% on campus and 40% online.
Diploma in Sustainable Finance
Syllabus
|
Course Number |
ECTS |
|
|
EDSF110 |
Climate Change and Sustainability |
3 |
|
EDSF120 |
Basics of Sustainability and Sustainable finance |
3 |
|
EDSF130 |
Sustainability and Corporate world |
6 |
|
EDSF140 |
Financial reporting for Sustainable finance |
3 |
|
EDSF150 |
Investment for sustainability |
6 |
|
EDSF160 |
Sustainability for Banking |
6 |
|
EDSF170 |
Climate Investing |
6 |
|
EDSF210 |
Sustainable finance – Case study |
6 |
|
EDSF220 |
Capstone project |
6 |
|
Total credits |
45 |
Detailed course syllabus
Module 1
Climate Change and Sustainability
For many, a warming climatic system is expected to impact the availability of basic necessities like freshwater, food security, and energy, while efforts to redress climate change, both through adaptation and mitigation, will similarly inform and shape the global development agenda. The links between climate change and sustainable development are strong. Poor and developing countries, particularly least developed countries, will be among those most adversely affected and least able to cope with the anticipated shocks to their social, economic and natural( systemshttps://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/). Therefore, it is important to learn how the climate change and sustainability are linked in order to make corporate related decisions such financing and investment.
Learning objectives
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Describe the climate problems
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Explain climate change and economic development from conventional approach perspective
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Explore the possibilities of approach climate issues from a development perspective.
Module 2
Basics of Sustainability and Sustainable finance
Why should finance contribute to sustainable development? The main task of the financial system is to allocate funding to its most productive use. Finance can play a leading role in allocating investment to sustainable corporate and projects and thus accelerate the transition to a low carbon and more circular economy. Sustainable finance looks at how finance (investing and lending) interacts with economic, social, and environmental issues. In the allocation role finance can assist in making strategic decisions on the trade-offs between sustainable goals. Moreover, investors can exert influence on the corporate in which they invest.
In this way, long-term investors can steer corporate towards sustainable business practices. Finally, finance is good at pricing risk for valuation purposes and can thus help dealing with the inherent uncertainty about environmental issues, such as the impact of carbon emissions on climate change. Finance and sustainability both look at the future
This module analyses the stages and provides a framework for sustainable finance. In addressing social and environmental challenges, a key development is the move from risk to opportunity. While financial firms started to avoid unsustainable companies from a risk perspective, the front-runners are now increasingly investing in sustainable companies and projects.
Learning objectives after you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
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explain the planet’s social and environmental challenges
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list and understand the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
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understand the transition of the economic system
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explain the main functions of the financial system and how to apply them to sustainability
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explain the various stages of sustainable finance
Module 3
Sustainability and Corporate world
Sustainability and Corporate world (Stakeholders, governance, business model and reporting). Finance play vital role in influencing the sustainability policies of the corporations. Corporations are facing the sustainability challenges such as externalities, governance, behavior and different business models. This module focus on sustainability challenges for corporations. This module covers 4 chapters
Learning objectives
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explain the concepts of externality and internalisation
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understand the role of government regulation, taxation and the integrated value approach for measuring externalities
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explain policy and technology uncertainty
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explain behavioral biases against change and the role of corporate governance steering companies behavior
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understand the changing objective of corporate and design of incentives for long-term thinking
Module 4
Financial reporting for Sustainable finance
The traditional reporting is limited to the mere financial figures and sales information. The impact of corporate activities are not reflected in the traditional reporting systems. The financial reporting should reflect results the corporations who are into sustainable development. The module describe about the emergence of integrated reporting to include impact of sustainability by corporate activities.
Learning objectives
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describe the benefits and limitations of traditional reporting
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explain the emergence and relevance of integrated reporting
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explain the obstacles integrated reporting faces
Module 5
Investment for sustainability
The present financial system failed to achieve the social, environmental goals. The current investment practices of corporations, governments and individuals are less concerned about the environmental and societal goals. This module discusses about the investment for sustainability including equity investment,
Learning objective
explain why the financial system needs to adapt
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discuss what the obstacles to adaptation are and how they can be overcome
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explain the key differences between active and passive investment approaches
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identify the different parties in the investment chain
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list and understand the conditions for long-term value creation by investors
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contrast traditional performance measures with alternative ones
Module 6
Banking – New forms of lending
Banking sectors plays vital in investment for corporations. Banks are considered as important source of lending for corporations. Sustainability can have impact on lending. ESG factors do not only influence creditworthiness company and but also impact on collateral value (e.g. real estate). This module explains the role bank for sustainability.
Learning objective
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explain the role of banks in screening and monitoring (potential) borrowers
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explain the relevance of sustainability for banking
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understand how ESG risks can be incorporated in the credit risk assessment
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list the barriers and incentives to sustainable lending
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understand the various forms of impact lending and microfinance
Module 7
Climate Investing
Climate change is among the most important issues addressed by today’s responsible investment universe. Every asset class offers investors an opportunity to pursue climate-friendly investments, to mitigate exposure to climate risk, and to engage stakeholders to improve climate-related performance across the range of investment opportunities. Climate related investing is related with sustainability. The module covers how the asset classes such as Cash and cash equivalents, Fixed-income, Public equities, Private equity, Real estate, Infrastructure, Commodities and Hedge funds can be better used for climate-friendly investing.
Learning Objective
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Explain how investors can devise a portfolio-wide climate strategy
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Identify standards and procedures to integrate that strategy into investment management
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Describe to engage stakeholders to raise standards for all investors
Module 8 Case studies on Sustainable Finance
Case studies will be provided by the instructors
Module 9 Capstone project
Students need to complete a capstone project on sustainable finance. The minimum word count is 2,000 words. Students need to communicate with assigned instructors to discuss on capstone project.
Diploma in Sustainable Finance
Diploma in Sustainable Finance