Sustainable Finance and Climate Change
Programme Description
This course introduces students to the role of finance in the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. Mitigating and adapting to climate change while simultaneously realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires the deployment of large amounts of capital – capital which isn’t currently provided in sufficient amounts. Moreover, climate change poses significant risk to economies and financial systems alike. At the same time, there are substantial opportunities in financing the green transformation and in aligning investments and finance with environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria.
The course enables students to understand and apply key concepts in climate and sustainable finance, the role of climate and other environmental risks in creating potential financial risks in banking and capital markets, and the role of financial actors in driving a global transition and aligning capital markets with climate and sustainability goals.
The course will draw on examples and case studies from various countries of the Global North and South and different thematic areas including ESG standards, green bond markets, long-term sustainability risk assessment, the role of central banks and financial supervisory authorities, and climate accounting principles. The course will help students build the skills necessary to work and conduct research in a cutting-edge area of finance that is increasingly becoming an important topic for financial institutions and financial authorities around the world.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, a student should be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- Have an in-depth understanding of economic concepts and principles in climate and sustainable finance;
- Understand and explain the gaps in global climate and sustainable finance and propose solutions to meet the funding challenge;
- Explain the role of different actors in climate and sustainable finance, including central banks, financial supervisory authorities, national and multilateral development banks, corporate banks, and institutional investors;
- Understand and analyse the potential risks and opportunities of environmental trends for financial markets, with a particular emphasis on climate risks;
- Explain the range of financial policy instruments and initiatives and their potential with regard to integrating climate change and sustainability into financial policy and supervisory frameworks.
Credit
Students are usually able to obtain credits from their home institution and typically our courses receive 3 credits in the US system and 7.5 ECTS in the European system. If you intend to claim credits from your home institution, please check the requirements with them before you enrol. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can, however please be aware that the decision to award credits rests with your home institution.
Assessment will be optional and will vary for each course. Participants will be provided with a certificate of attendance and a Record of Study will be available on request.
Programme structure
Week 1: Climate and sustainable finance – an introduction
- The economics of climate change and sustainability: key concepts and principles
- Environment, social and governance (ESG) standards and financial performance
- From ambition to action: identifying – and closing – global funding gaps
- Climate and sustainable finance in developing and emerging economies
Week 2: Governing climate and sustainable finance
- Leveraging private sector finance: the role of national and multilateral development banks (MDBs)
- The role of financial governance: central banks and regulators and the Paris Agreement
- Mobilising bond markets for a low-carbon transition
Week 3: Climate risk and financial markets
- Quantifying environmental risks in financial markets
- Monitoring and supervising long-term and climate risk by financial supervisors
- Aligning financial portfolios and companies with sustainability goals
Teaching & Learning
Contact hours:
46 hours (lectures, tutorials, activities). The course will be delivered Monday - Friday over the 3 weeks.
Core hours:
Monday - Friday 10am-3pm. In addition to regular lectures and tutorials, each course is composed of a range of activities relating to their academic content (e.g. museum visit, company visit etc).
Tuition Fees
£1,600
Application fee
A one-off, non-refundable application fee of £40 will be charged to cover administration costs. Please visit the SOAS online store to make your application fee payment.
Discounts
10% discount if you apply by 31 March 2019
20% discount for our partner institutions
Accommodation
Accommodation is available to Summer School students at the SOAS halls of residence, Dinwiddy House. For more details of how to book a room please visit the Dinwiddy House accommodation page.
Scholarships
We have a wide range of scholarships and awards to support students on our degree programmes.
There is a competitive application process for these scholarships and awards – based on academic merit. And their focus can range from supporting students from specific countries or a group of countries, to particular degrees or areas of research.
We also offer a number of bursaries based on financial need at undergraduate level.
Entry Requirements
In order to join our Summer School, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:
- A university student or a graduate at the time of attending the summer school, and 18+ years of age.
Professional experience can be acknowledged as equivalent to a university qualification. - A minimum English language requirement if English is not your first language:
- IELTS, 6.5 overall or higher, with at least 6 in all sub scores.
- TOEFL Paper based test we require a minimum of 583 with minimum 53 in all skills and for TOEFL Internet Based Test we require a minimum of 93 with minimum 20 in all skills.
- Pearson Test of English a score of 59-64
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Grade B
- If you have studied in an English speaking institution, or have courses taught at your university in English (excluding English language courses) you may meet our requirements without having to supply a certificate. Evidence of this will either need to be included on a transcript or letter from your university.
- Applicants with an alternative qualification should contact us for advice.
- Applicants whose English language level do not meet out requirements may be interested in our subject based courses with English language support.
Enrolment of Summer School applicants who don’t meet the entry requirements is at the discretion of SOAS – please get in touch to speak to us in detail about your application
Application Procedure
Once you have paid the £40 application fee and submitted the online application form, you will be informed as to whether you have a place on the summer school within 5 working days. Please do not pay your tuition fee prior to having received your offer letter.
Application Deadline
31 May 2019
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.soas.ac.uk/summerschool/subjects/sustainable-finance/