Sustainable Corporate Financing: Foundations from edX

Course 1: Sustainable Corporate Financing – Foundations

Recent global developments have increasingly led to the issues of climate change and sustainable development being addressed. Different actors in the financial sector have started to account for sustainability issues in their daily operations. In addition to regulatory pressures, stakeholder demands, increasing transparency, and comparability of sustainability data contribute to the financial sector's move towards sustainability. While sustainability has been gaining popularity in the investment business for several years now, it is only beginning in corporate finance.

The course “Sustainable Corporate Financing – Foundations” will provide the foundations of corporate finance with a particular focus on how sustainability aspects relate to corporate financing decisions. Four action areas regarding sustainable corporate financing are elaborated on and discussed. Theoretical know-how will be accompanied by case studies and practical examples.

These applications are meant to support participants' work on capabilities beyond the scope of this course, such as the critical reflection of public information and data and the feasibility to form their own opinion.

What you'll learn

Course 1: Sustainable Corporate Financing – Foundations

You will learn to:

Apply basic know-how to traditional financings, such as equity financings, debt financing, and bond financing
Discuss the increasing relevance of sustainability for the financial sector and other firms
Define sustainability in the context of finance
Differentiate and critically discuss approaches to quantify sustainability at the level of the company (e.g., ESG ratings, impact assessment, ESG reporting)
Differentiate investor sustainability strategies
Assess and compare different sustainability focus areas and strategies of companies
Discuss possibilities to integrate sustainability aspects as part of the traditional financing options and understand the need for additional solutions to finance transition and sustainability solutions.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the foundation of sustainable corporate finance essential for finance professionals seeking solid background in this area

Taught by instructors recognized for their experience and expertise in finance and sustainability

Introduces theoretical knowledge alongside case studies and practical examples for better understanding

Focuses on how sustainability aspects relate to corporate financing decisions, providing valuable insights for professionals

Designed for those seeking to apply sustainable principles to corporate finance

Suitable for learners with a background in finance or related fields

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sustainable Corporate Financing: Foundations with these activities:

Identify a mentor in the field of sustainable finance

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Gain valuable guidance and insights from an experienced professional.

Browse courses on Sustainable Finance

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Attend industry events and networking sessions to connect with potential mentors.
Reach out to your personal and professional network for referrals.
Contact potential mentors and express your interest in their guidance.

Review 'Sustainable Finance: From Understanding to Implementation' by Dirk Schoenmaker

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Provide a foundational understanding of sustainability in the financial sector.

View Corporate Finance for Long-Term Value (Springer... on Amazon

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Read the first three chapters of the book.
Identify key concepts and definitions related to sustainable finance.
Summarize the drivers of the increasing relevance of sustainability for the financial sector.

Explore online resources on sustainable investing

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Gain exposure to industry best practices and emerging trends in sustainable investing.

Browse courses on Sustainable Investing

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Identify reputable websites and organizations that provide information on sustainable investing.
Review articles, case studies, and whitepapers to learn about different sustainable investment strategies.
Attend webinars or online seminars on sustainable investing.

Three other activities

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Participate in a peer-led discussion group on sustainable corporate financing

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Engage with peers to exchange ideas and enhance critical thinking about sustainable finance.

Browse courses on Sustainable Corporate Financing

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Join or form a peer-led discussion group focused on sustainable corporate financing.
Attend regular meetings and participate in discussions on different aspects of sustainable financing.
Contribute to the group by sharing your own insights and perspectives.

Analyze case studies on sustainable corporate financing

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Develop analytical skills and practical knowledge of sustainable financing strategies.

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Read and analyze case studies that illustrate different approaches to sustainable corporate financing.
Identify the key factors that influenced the success or failure of each approach.
Discuss the implications of the case studies for your own understanding of sustainable corporate financing.

Develop a presentation on the different approaches to quantify sustainability at the company level

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Enhance understanding of the various methodologies for assessing corporate sustainability.

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Research and compare different approaches to quantifying sustainability, such as ESG ratings, impact assessment, and ESG reporting.
Identify the strengths and limitations of each approach.
Develop a presentation that explains the different approaches and their implications for corporate financing.

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Corporate Financing: Foundations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainable Finance Officer

Sustainable Finance Officers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for financial institutions. They work with stakeholders to identify and prioritize sustainability goals, and they develop and implement plans to achieve these goals. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a Sustainable Finance Officer, including how to integrate sustainability into corporate finance decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Finance Officer

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. They work with stakeholders to identify and prioritize sustainability goals, and they develop and implement plans to achieve these goals. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a Sustainability Manager, including how to integrate sustainability into corporate finance decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Managers are responsible for developing and implementing CSR programs for organizations. They work with stakeholders to identify and prioritize CSR goals, and they develop and implement plans to achieve these goals. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a CSR Manager, including how to integrate sustainability into corporate finance decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Impact Investor

Impact Investors invest in companies and organizations that are working to solve social and environmental problems. They use their investments to generate positive social and environmental impact, as well as financial returns. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become an Impact Investor, including how to evaluate the sustainability performance of companies and how to integrate ESG factors into investment decisions.

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Green Bond Analyst

Green Bond Analysts evaluate the environmental and social impact of green bonds. They use this information to make investment recommendations to their clients. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a Green Bond Analyst, including how to assess the sustainability performance of companies and how to integrate ESG factors into investment decisions.

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ESG Analyst

ESG Analysts evaluate the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of companies. They use this information to make investment recommendations to their clients. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become an ESG Analyst, including how to assess a company's sustainability performance and how to integrate ESG factors into investment decisions.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers make investment decisions for their clients. They use their knowledge of the financial markets to select investments that will meet their clients' financial goals. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in corporate finance, which is essential for Portfolio Managers. The course will help you develop the skills to analyze financial statements and make informed investment decisions.

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Investment Manager

Investment Managers make investment decisions for their clients. They use their knowledge of the financial markets to select investments that will meet their clients' financial goals. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in corporate finance, which is essential for Investment Managers. The course will help you develop the skills to analyze financial statements and make informed investment decisions.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts evaluate the financial performance of companies. They use this information to make investment recommendations to their clients. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in corporate finance, which is essential for Financial Analysts. The course will help you develop the skills to analyze financial statements and make informed investment decisions.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify and manage risks for organizations. They work with stakeholders to identify and prioritize risks, and they develop and implement plans to mitigate these risks. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in corporate finance, which is essential for Risk Managers. The course will help you develop the skills to analyze financial statements and make informed decisions about risk management.

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Sustainability Specialist

Sustainability Specialists, also known as ESG Analysts, are responsible for assessing a company's sustainability performance. They examine environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors to evaluate a company's sustainability risks and opportunities. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in sustainability issues and how they relate to corporate finance. The course will help you develop the skills to critically evaluate corporate sustainability strategies and make informed decisions about sustainable investment opportunities.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics. They use their expertise in a particular field to help organizations solve problems and improve their performance. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in corporate finance, which is essential for Consultants who work in the financial sector.

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Auditor

Auditors examine the financial records of organizations to ensure that they are accurate and complete. They use their skills in accounting and auditing to identify any errors or irregularities. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in accounting and auditing, which is essential for Auditors. The course will help you develop the skills to examine financial records and identify any errors or irregularities.

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Accountant

Accountants prepare and maintain financial records for organizations. They use their skills in accounting to ensure that financial records are accurate and complete. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in accounting, which is essential for Accountants. The course will help you develop the skills to prepare and maintain financial records.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. They use their skills in statistics and data analysis to identify trends and patterns in data. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in data analysis, which is essential for Data Analysts. The course will help you develop the skills to collect, analyze, and interpret data.

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