Programme Overview
Programme Synopsis
Sustainability and ESG have gained great traction in recent years, with many businesses have already begun to integrate sustainability within their organizational structure and business strategies. Plethoras of governments have also pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, and the constant creation of green jobs has seen the CAGR of the global green technology and sustainability market projected to reach 20.6%. But do we have the green talent necessary to sustain the demand?
In line with the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2030+ and its goal to build a Greentech and Green ‘ecosystem’, this program jointly offered by CUHK Business School and GoImpact Capital Partners enhances participants’ sustainability knowledge and upskills them to be future-ready for the transition to a carbon-resilient world. In addition, as the Great Bay Area (GBA) is well positioned to spur green development in both Hong Kong and China, it is imperative to be familiar with the latest trends and developments of green policies in China and the GBA.
The Advanced Certificate of Sustainability covers a wide range of topics that provides participants with a well-rounded knowledge of key sustainability topics, including climate change, supply chains, circular economy, sustainable finance, and the importance of ESG on business. Participants will be introduced to global sustainability initiatives, reporting standards, and corporate sustainability concepts and strategies to be equipped with the ability to comply with increasingly stringent sustainability requirements.
To obtain a holistic understanding of various sustainability-related issues, Participants are strongly encouraged to complete the ‘Advanced Certificate of Sustainability’.
Programme Learning Objectives
At the end of the course, participants will:
- Attain holistic knowledge of sustainability and be equipped with the knowledge to apply sustainability-related frameworks within the organisation
- Learn the importance of a circular economy and the features of sustainable supply chains
- Understand trends and strategies of sustainable finance
- Obtain an overview of the environmental policies in China, as well as its progress, challenges, and future outlook regarding sustainable development
- Recognize the consequences of the degradation of natural resources and biodiversity loss and the risks that arise from them
- Understand the controversies and limitations of ESG ratings and their impact on business
Module 1: Fundamentals of Sustainability (2 Days)
Synopsis:
The past decade has seen climate change, deforestation, and consumption bringing detrimental environmental, socioeconomic, and infrastructural changes in all parts of the world. Thus, there is an urgent need for both public and private sectors to integrate sustainability as an essential part of how businesses and institutions operate to ensure the needs of future generations are met.
This introductory module on sustainability informs participants of the basics of climate change and its impact, as well as sustainability issues and global initiatives. It also offers a preview of sustainability-related risks and outlines how sustainable development has progressed globally and in Hong Kong.
Learning objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:
- Be able to give an overview of the evolution and definition of the concept of sustainability, ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) issues and the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
- Differentiate between sustainability, ESG, and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
- Understand global warming and biodiversity loss and the impact they have on ecosystems, economy, and society
- Be able to explain what greenhouse gas is and the associated key metrics on its emissions, as well as concepts of carbon management and net zero transition
- Understand sustainability-related risks and coping mechanisms, including physical and transitional risks
- Understand the basic cooperative frameworks underpinning sustainable development such as IPCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, UNFCC, and Ocean 20
- Understand the meaning and breakdown of the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)
- Obtain an up-to-date overview of sustainable development globally and in Hong Kong
Module 2: Sustainability Transition - Challenges of Natural Resources (2 Days)
Synopsis:
Sustainability is imperative to ensuring the survival and well-being of humankind, now and in the future. To succeed in our sustainability transition requires changes to the core systems of our society to protect biodiversity and our Earth’s finite natural resources.
This course offers a panoramic overview of resource consumption and introduces participants to planetary boundaries, current resourcing challenges, and how climate change, biodiversity loss and humanity have affected natural resources. It also equips participants with an in-depth understanding of environmental impact assessments and potential solutions to overcome resourcing challenges.
Learning objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:
- Understand the current situation of resource consumption and grasp the concepts of planetary boundaries and Doughnut Economics
- Gain a thorough understanding of global biodiversity resources and their impact on agriculture
- Be able to explain the knock-on effects that climate change, biodiversity loss, and humanity have on natural resources
- Be able to describe current resourcing challenges and its socio-economic impacts
- Explore potential solutions to resourcing issues, such as climate-smart agriculture and natural resource management
- Have the ability to conduct environmental impact assessments
Module 3: Environmental and Climate Policies in China (1 Day)
Synopsis:
This course will provide a systematic understanding of China’s environmental and climate policies. It will first examine China’s major environmental and climate issues, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, water shortage and pollution, soil pollution, waste management, desertification & deforestation, climate change, energy transition and carbon neutrality. The organization of China’s environmental and climate governance will then be explored. Environmental/climate goals, policy making and implementation will be investigated to understand their roles, challenges and solutions in China’s specific context. Major policy instruments will also be introduced to tackle those environmental and climate issues in reality.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:
- Comprehensively understand China’s major environmental and climate issues, their past trajectories, current statuses and potential future scenarios;
- Recognize China’s organization of environmental and climate governance, the relationship between the central and local governments, and the functions of environmental authorities;
- Discern the roles of goals and policies in China, policy making and implementation, their challenges and solutions;
- Systematically investigate major environmental and climate policy instruments in domestic practice and international treaties, their effectiveness and efficiency.
Module 4: Sustainable Supply Chain and Circular Economy (2 Days)
Synopsis:
In recent years, a number of organisations have fallen victim to supply-chain vulnerabilities and disruptions, and businesses are increasingly acknowledging the need for a more sustainable supply chain for risk mitigation. As the world slowly begins its transformation into a carbon-resilient world, it is clear that our current linear economy must also transition into a circular economy to reduce environmental pressure and become more resilient.
This course focuses on two main areas: 1) the importance of sustainable supply chains in managing risks and achieving decarbonization, and 2) adopting a circular economy mindset to improve resource efficiency. Participants will also be equipped with practical knowledge in supplier management, monitoring, and evaluation.
Learning objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:
- Obtain knowledge of supply chain carbon footprints in key industries
- Learn to assess and manage sustainability-related risks in supply chains
- Understand the importance of supply chain transparency
- Develop an understanding of how to operate a sustainable supply chain through supplier management
- Gain an understanding of what a circular economy is and its importance
- Understand the relevant frameworks for a circular economy
- Learn how to integrate supply chain sustainability and circular economy concepts into business strategies
Module 5: Sustainable Finance (2 Days)
Synopsis:
Given an increase in investors’ appetite in responsible investments, sustainable finance has seen
exponential growth in popularity in the past decade. Organisations are facing the challenge of having to maintain short-term profitability while simultaneously building a more sustainable future.
This module provides participants with an overview of sustainable finance. Participants will learn how to integrate ESG into their investments, the spectrum of sustainable finance products, and investment
frameworks.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:
- Understand the current situation of resource consumption and grasp the concepts of planetary boundaries and Doughnut Economics
- Gain a thorough understanding of global biodiversity resources and their impact on agriculture
- Be able to explain the knock-on effects that climate change, biodiversity loss, and humanity have on natural resources
- Be able to describe current resourcing challenges and its socio-economic impacts
- Explore potential solutions to resourcing issues, such as climate-smart agriculture and natural resource management
- Have the ability to conduct environmental impact assessments
Module 6: ESG rating and Reporting (1 Day)
Synopsis:
In recent years, to deal with pressure from investors, regulators and other stakeholders on the ESG issues. there has been a movement towards the “standardization” of ESG reporting standards for enhanced transparency. In this course, participants will learn about the basics of ESG reporting, including the key ESG metrics and reporting frameworks, as well as the regulatory landscape surrounding ESG reporting.
Meanwhile, there is also a global trend of ESG investing that has led to the demand for ESG ratings. Investors rely on these rating providers for scores that can help them assess and compare company performance. This module will also cover the basics of ESG rating, the importance of ESG in today’s business landscape, and how ESG can be used to inform investment decisions.
Learning objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:
- Obtain knowledge of supply chain carbon footprints in key industries
- Learn to assess and manage sustainability-related risks in supply chains
- Understand the importance of supply chain transparency
- Develop an understanding of how to operate a sustainable supply chain through supplier management
- Gain an understanding of what a circular economy is and its importance
- Understand the relevant frameworks for a circular economy
- Learn how to integrate supply chain sustainability and circular economy concepts into business strategies
Key Benefits
- Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to participant upon completion of the program
- Becoming an Associate Member of CUHK Business School Alumni
Schedule: 9:30am – 12:30pm & 2:00 – 5:00pm
Venue: CUHK Business School Town Centre, Admiralty
Programme Fee: HK$53,000
Who Should Attend
Professionals who want to understand how the global financial industry is rapidly changing to address the climate crisis and other aspects of sustainability. Corporate executives, finance professionals, and sustainability and ESG practitioners who want to upskill and build the skillsets essential for career advancement given the trajectory of incorporating ESG into all aspects of business operations and investment decisions.
Programme Details
Application Deadline: 11 April 2024
Schedule: 9:30am – 12:30pm & 2:00 – 5:00pm
Duration : Total 60 hours (All modules are compulsory. To pass the modules, participants have to achieve at least 80% class attendance for each module. )
Medium of Instruction: English
Venue: CUHK Business School Town Centre, Admiralty
Programme Fee: HK$53,000
- Early Bird offer: HK$49,290 (by 28 March 2024)
- Alumni rate: CUHK/CUSCS/APIB Alumni at HK$47,700
- Corporate rate/Group rate: $45,050 (4 or more concurrent registrations)
The fee includes :
- Design, development and delivery of the programme conducted at CUHK
- Tuition, teaching materials and refreshment
- The use of fully equipped executive education classroom and breakout rooms during the programme
- Certification of attendance awarded by The Asia-Pacific Institute of Business, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Contact Us
Ms Rebecca Wong
Phone: (852) 3943 8774
Email: apib@cuhk.edu.hk