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Introduction to Sustainable Investing

Description

In the Academy’s main course, you will learn about all the key terms and main historical landmarks of sustainable investing, and explore different ESG criteria. Infused with many case studies and examples, this course will take you through the main approaches to sustainable investing, performance, shareholder activism and fiduciary responsibility.

What you will learn

The course will start with tackling the key terms, such as corporate social responsibility, green investing, fiduciary responsibility and materiality. You will explore the history of sustainable investing, ESG criteria, look at SRI labels, at different types of strategies and approaches, and their financial performance.

Once you have established what sustainable investing is, you will then explore what it can do:

Sustainable impact and how to measure it
Influencing companies and shareholder activism
How to compare different types of sustainable funds
The evolving concept of fiduciary responsibility

The course narrative provides case studies referring to real life examples with specific companies, regulators and international organizations.

Practical info

Free online course

4 hours estimated study time

Learn at your own pace with no deadlines

CFP Austria accredited for 4 CPD-Credits

FPSB Deutschland accredited for 4 CPD-Credits

EFPA France accredited

EFPA Italia accredited

Valid for 4 hours of training for the EFPA Spain re-certification

Valid for 4 PL credits for the Chartered Financial Analyst qualification and 4 CPD credits for the Certified Advisor CAd qualification, of which 4 are SER credits

CPD UK accredited

Available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Japanese

Course Outline

Module 1 – What is Sustainable & Responsible Investing?

Unit 1: Demystifying different names for a similar target
Unit 2: A brief history of Sustainable Investing
Unit 3: Sustainable Investing is closely linked to Corporate Stewardship
Unit 4: The “Triple Bottom Line”
Unit 5: Defining Sustainable (and Responsible) Investing
Module 1 questions

Module 2 – Why are investors adopting SI?

Unit 1: Climate change
Unit 2: Circular economy
Unit 3: Digitalisation
Unit 4: Demographic shifts
Unit 5: Case study – Tesla
Unit 6: How does Sustainable Investing relate to ethics?
Module 2 questions

Module 3 – How is SI implemented?

Unit 1: Common approaches to sustainable and responsible investing
Unit 2: Exclusion
Unit 3: Positive selection
Unit 4: Thematic focus
Unit 5: ESG Integration
Unit 6: The state of the Sustainable Investment market in the US / Europe
Module 3 questions

Module 4 – How does it relate to financial performance?

Unit 1: Does sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) sacrifice investment returns to principles?
Unit 2: The question of materiality
Unit 3: Examples of studies backing the positive financial impact of ESG integration
Module 4 questions

Module 5 – How to measure sustainable impact?

Unit 1: Carbon Footprint
Unit 2: Other ESG impact indicators
Unit 3: UN Sustainable Development Goals
Module 5 questions

Module 6 – How can investors influence companies?

Unit 1: Corporate Stewardship
Unit 2: Dialogue with corporate issuers
Unit 3: Shareholder Voting
Module 6 questions

Module 7 – How to recognise an ESG strategy?

Unit 1: How can investors compare different sustainable investment funds?
Unit 2: Sustainability labels
Unit 3: European Sustainable Finance Initiative
Unit 4: UN PRI Ratings
Unit 5: Morningstar Globes
Unit 6: The Difference Between labels and ratings
Module 7 questions

Module 8 – How does fiduciary duty interact with SI?

Unit 1: Sustainable Investing and Fiduciary Management
Unit 2: The Evolving US Fiduciary Standard
Unit 3: Broadening scope of fiduciary duty in Europe
Unit 4: Materiality and Fiduciary Responsibility
Module 8 Questions