This short, credit bearing course offers a concise introduction to the principles and practice of sustainable finance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing. Students are introduced to the evolving regulatory landscape governing ESG and sustainability reporting, encompassing both mandatory disclosure requirements and voluntary reporting frameworks, alongside a critical examination of prevailing approaches to ESG measurement and their limitations. As ESG considerations become increasingly important to capital allocation, corporate governance, and regulatory policy, this course provides students with foundational knowledge and skills applicable to careers in finance, investment management, and corporate strategy.

The course enables students to critically assess climate-related corporate disclosures and to develop the competencies required for informed decision-making in ESG and impact investing contexts.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the core concepts underpinning sustainable finance and ESG investing;
• Identify and evaluate the mandatory and voluntary regulatory frameworks governing ESG and sustainability reporting;
• Critically assess the limitations of existing ESG measurement and rating systems;

Apply analytical tools to interpret corporate climate-related disclosures in support of informed investment decision-making.

Number of ECTS: 2

Course syllabus with reading list (link)

NOTE: Applications for this course will open in early January 2027.

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, and recognize the concept of impact investing. Getting familiar with the term and importance of climate related disclosure by companies, related to ESG reporting, will help course participants to get basic 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.


• Impact investing vs. ESG investing.


• Mandatory and voluntary environment for ESG and sustainability reporting.


• Critics of ESG measurements

Scheduled...