Sustainability for Financial Institutions

Duration: 4 – 6 Weeks

Mode of Delivery: Lectures, Case Studies, Practical Workshops

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to Sustainability in Financial Institutions

  • The business case for sustainability in finance
  • Global megatrends shaping sustainable finance
  • Ethics and responsible finance (avoiding greenwashing)

2. ESG and Corporate Governance in Financial Institutions

  • The role of the board in sustainability & ESG governance
  • Understanding the six capitals in sustainable finance
  • Stakeholder risk assessment in ESG decision-making

3. Integrating Sustainability into Business Strategy

  • Sustainable lending, impact investing & green finance
  • Aligning business strategy with sustainability goals
  • Case studies on successful sustainable finance models

4. Tools & Frameworks for Sustainable Finance

  • Circular economy applications in financial institutions
  • ESMS (Environmental and Social Management Systems) Implementation
  • Lifecycle assessment of financial products

5. Practical Application & Certification

  • Case studies on global & African financial institutions
  • Final assessment: Developing a sustainability strategy
  • Certification: Certified Sustainability in Financial Institutions (CSFI)

Mode of Assessment for “Sustainability for Financial Institutions”

  1. Case Study Analysis (25%) – Participants analyze real-world financial institutions integrating sustainability.
  2. Group Project (30%) – Teams develop a sustainability strategy for a financial institution.
  3. ESG Risk Assessment (15%) – Individual assessment of sustainability risks in financial institutions.
  4. Circular Economy Report (10%) – Participants conduct a lifecycle assessment of a financial product/service.
  5. Quiz & Class Participation (20%) – Periodic quizzes and active engagement in discussions and exercises.