The course takes approximately 6 months assuming 5-8 hours of self-study per week. It consists of 8 mandatory units, which build upon each other.

UNIT 1 : Sustainable Finance - From Niche to Mainstream

Unit 1 will set the scene and introduce participants to the world of sustainability and how it affects financial institutions’ operations. It will also provide a broad overview on the different rationales why integrating sustainability considerations into business decisions can be important. Furthermore, Unit 1 summarizes existing trends and developments as well as leading industry initiatives.


UNIT 2 : The Financial Sector - Enabling the Transformation

Unit 2 will take a look on the economic side of sustainable finance. It will discuss the role of the financial system in the transformation to a low carbon and more sustainable economy. Furthermore, the Unit will provide a compendium on recent regulatory trends in financial markets worldwide and dare to take an outlook what may evolve in the future.


UNIT 3 : Sustainable Financial Products

Unit 3 will provide insights to major sustainable financial products on debt and equity side (e.g. ESG and green bonds, sustainable equity funds, sustainable lending etc.). Furthermore, it will provide an outlook on market development and discuss the offer and demand side for sustainable financial products.


UNIT 4 : Sustainable Investment Strategies and Methodologies

Unit 4 will explain major methodological approaches to measure and manage the non-financial impact of investments and how these approaches can be used for developing sustainable investment strategies. Furthermore, it will prepare the participants for the three deep dive Units 5, 6 and 7.


UNIT 5 : ESG Data

Unit 5 will shed light into the universe of environmental, social and governance (ESG) data. It will provide an overview of the different sources, users and purposes of use for ESG data. Furthermore, it will tackle the diffi culties and limitations related to ESG data.


UNIT 6 : ESG - Ratings and Labels

Unit 6 will provide an overview of existing ratings and labels. It will take a look into the methodologies of sustainable rating agencies and how ratings can be used and interpreted. Besides, it will assess labels in a similar way while discussing challenges that relate to ratings and labels.


UNIT 7 : Climate Scenario Analysis

This Unit will make participants familiar with climate-related scenario analysis tools and science-based targets. It will outline why using such tools can be helpful for financial institutions to steer risks and opportunities on a company level but also in the due diligence process.


UNIT 8 : Case Studies

This Unit will provide two real life case studies that guide participants to dive into social success note and impact fund. Participants will be required to summarize / compose a short case on their own applying the newly acquired knowledge from this unit and the previous units.


Assignments - Applying Your Knowledge

In this exercise, each participant has to prepare the solution to a given assignment. The assignments are a bit more extensive case studies followed by a number of questions. The participant needs to answer these question in writing. Passing the assignment is a precondition to register for the final exam.