Principles of Sustainable Finance

Instructors: Steve Kennedy

Sponsored by Coursera for Reliance Family

64,481 already enrolled

9 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.7

(1,771 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

Flexible schedule

Approx. 16 hours

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

9 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.7

(1,771 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

Flexible schedule

Approx. 16 hours

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Learn what the principles of sustainable finance are
Understand what the interplay is between the UN Sustainable Development Goals and finance
Understand what the importance of a long-term perspective is
Understand the role of finance in the transition to a sustainable economy

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Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 9 modules in this course

Finance is widely seen as an obstacle to a better world. Principles of Sustainable Finance explains how the financial sector can be mobilized to counter this. Using finance as a means to achieve social goals we can divert the planet and its economy from its current path to a world that is sustainable for all.

Throughout this course, you will learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals, how social and environmental factors should not be regarded as externalities, you will learn more about sustainable banking and asset management, about effective engagement, sustainable scenario analysis and long-term value creation. At the end of this course you will understand how sustainable finance can be used as a tool to steer the sustainability transition.

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 33 minutes

Trailer: welcome to the sustainability journey1 minutePreview module
The Sustainability Journey in Finance6 minutes
Rockstrom's planetary boundaries and social foundations4 minutes
The UN Sustainable Development Goals3 minutes
Living wage: an example of sustainable finance6 minutes
The role of finance6 minutes
The three stages of sustainable finance4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Introduction to week 110 minutes
Optional extra material90 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

The linkage between the UN SDGs30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Your sustainable future10 minutes

What's included

6 videos4 readings1 assignment

6 videosTotal 32 minutes

Social and environmental factors are treated as externalities5 minutesPreview module
Perspectives of a skeptical manager3 minutes
Government regulation and taxation5 minutes
Business true pricing5 minutes
Integrated value thinking5 minutes
Sustainable scenario analysis6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 95 minutes

Introduction to week 210 minutes
Optional extra reading: Investing for Long-Term Value Creation45 minutes
Optional extra reading material: summary of the chapter30 minutes
Optional extra reading: Stern review the economics of climate change10 minutes

1 assignment

Externalities0 minutes

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment1 plugin

5 videosTotal 41 minutes

The ethical responsibility of companies4 minutesPreview module
Shareholders versus stakeholders...15 minutes
Corporate governance9 minutes
Partnerships8 minutes
The sustainability quotient3 minutes

2 readingsTotal 130 minutes

The purpose of companies10 minutes
Recommended reading material120 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

End of chapter quiz30 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Alex Edmans - The social responsibility of business15 minutes

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 assignment

4 videosTotal 19 minutes

The link between sustainability and strategy4 minutesPreview module
Materiality: which issues matter most?5 minutes
Integrated reporting and thinking5 minutes
Long-term value creation by companies4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Recap of week 310 minutes
Strategy and Intangibles10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

End of chapter 4 quiz30 minutes

What's included

6 videos2 readings1 assignment

6 videosTotal 42 minutes

Efficient market hypothesis versus adaptive market hypothesis5 minutesPreview module
Academic evidence on sustainable investing7 minutes
Complicated investment chains6 minutes
Conditions for long-term investing6 minutes
Value driver adjustment example9 minutes
The case of Kraft Heinz and Unilever7 minutes

2 readingsTotal 15 minutes

Recap of week 4 and introduction to week 510 minutes
Case studies on sustainable valuation5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

End of chapter quiz30 minutes

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

6 videosTotal 44 minutes

Obstacles of sustainable banking8 minutesPreview module
Opportunities in sustainable banking13 minutes
Corporate bonds8 minutes
Sustainable lending4 minutes
Circular business lending5 minutes
Examples of sustainable banking4 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Recap week 5 and introduction to week 610 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

End of chapter 6 quiz30 minutes

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment

5 videosTotal 25 minutes

Trends in weather related catastrophes3 minutesPreview module
Catastrophe models7 minutes
Climate stress testing4 minutes
Coping with climate change: mitigation and adaptation5 minutes
Risks in countries around the equator4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Recap of week 6 and introduction to week 710 minutes
Climate change finance 70 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

End of chapter quiz30 minutes

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

What's included

1 video2 readings2 discussion prompts

Instructors

Instructor ratings

4.6 (811 ratings)

Steve Kennedy

Erasmus University Rotterdam

4 Courses128,720 learners

Dirk Schoenmaker

Erasmus University Rotterdam

3 Courses112,044 learners

Karen Maas

Erasmus University Rotterdam

1 Course64,481 learners

Offered by

Erasmus University Rotterdam

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Learner reviews

4.7

1,771 reviews

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Reviewed on Aug 29, 2020

Really good course, I enjoyed it a lot. This course helps to understand how finance can help the society and to have awareness about the problems and opportunities caused by climate change.

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2022

Definitely worth taking. It enhances your knoweldge of ESG in the field of finance. Just wish they had a Summary of contents at the end so one could revisit the concepts.

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2022

Excellent course. Specifically, for beginners gives you a good overview of the key terms, challenges, obstacles, financial considerations, opportunities, etc. Will highly recommend.

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