This course introduces students to the rapidly evolving environment of sustainable finance and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. Through practical examples and case study analysis students will be more familiar with sustainability issues in a financial context and learn how investment decisions can generate both economic returns and positive societal impact.

By understanding concepts such as climate-related corporate disclosures, and ESG reporting, students will develop the foundational skills needed to become a responsible, informed, and aware investors.

This course equips participants with essential knowledge related to the risk–return trade-off and diversification, principles of sustainable finance and ESG investing, understanding ESG dimensions and their relevance to financial markets, the EU Taxonomy, mandatory and voluntary frameworks for ESG and sustainability reporting, as well as common critiques and limitations of ESG metrics and practices.

Number of ECTS: 2

Course syllabus (link)

Course program (link)

Course overview: Sustainable finance and ESG investing course aims to enable students a comprehensive understanding of the term sustainability in the context of finance and investing. Getting familiar with the term and importance of climate related disclosure by companies, related to ESG reporting, the course will help participants to get basic theoretical and practical knowledge to become responsible and informed investors in the near future.

Key topics:

• Introduction to investments; relationship between risk and return; the concept of diversification.


• Introduction to sustainable finance and ESG investing.


• ESG dimensions.


• European taxonomy: content and practices.


• Mandatory and voluntary environment for ESG and sustainability reporting.

Methodology:

• online lectures


• case study


• debate

Open