Postgraduate taught 

International Corporate Finance & Banking MSc

Climate Finance and ESG Investment ACCFIN5255

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: Adam Smith Business School
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course develops a critical understanding of the economic consequences of climate change and the financial market solutions for tackling them. This course covers the climate change problems we face and the existing financial market methods designed for solving them, specifically, ESG investment.

Timetable

10 x 2hr workshops. Asynchronous activities within the course provide extensive pre-class activities that students will be expected to discuss in class.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Assessment

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to develop a critical understanding in the area of climate finance, green finance, and ESG investment. The course also develops practical skills involved with ESG investment, focusing on research design, statistical analysis and evaluates the implications of international climate change regulations.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Critically assess how the economic growth is affected by climate change (natural disasters and sea-level rise) in the context of recent cutting-edge research

2. Appraise the existing financial methods (carbon market, green bonds, and socially responsible investment) designed to solve the climate change problems

3. Critically evaluate climate change implications on the macroeconomy and capital market and apply an analytical assessment of ESG criteria in investment

4. Analyse how impact investing, activism, and green PE/VC will contribute to tackling climate change problems through their influences on corporations' decision making

5. Evaluate policy implications of existing multilateral agreements critically and inform policymakers to implement more efficient climate strategies within the financial context

6. Work collaboratively in a group to produce a combined piece of coursework, by liaising with other class members, allocating tasks and co-ordinating group meetings.

7. Present your group and own research project to audiences with feedback and questions during the class and be able to discuss and reason with classmates.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.