Programme Overview

Programme Synopsis

Sustainability and ESG have gained great traction in recent years, with many businesses having already begun to integrate sustainability within their organisational structure and business strategies. It is without a doubt that green financing plays a key role in driving sustainability for the environment, as well as in any corporation. Similarly, transition financing is crucial in the transformation to a greener environment. More efforts are needed to narrow the funding gap and it is imperative that industry professionals are aware of this limitation.

Sustainable Finance plays a key role in propagating a sustainable Hong Kong and China. Therefore, in line with the Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2030+ and its goal to build a Greentech and Greenfi ‘ecosystem’ this program focuses on sustainable finance to upskill participants’ to be future-ready for the transition to a carbon-resilient world. The latest trends and developments of green policies in China and the GBA, as well as ESG reporting and rating will also be examined given their importance in driving sustainable development in Hong Kong.

The participants of the Certificate of Sustainable Finance for Professionals will also attain an understanding of the environmental and climate policies and trends in China, how they relate and impact on the business operations of any company operating in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

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
  • Obtain an overview of the environmental policies in China, as well as its progress, challenges, and future outlook regarding sustainable development
  • Understand the controversies and limitations of ESG ratings and their impact on business
  • Understand trends and strategies of sustainable finance

Certificate Of Sustainable Finance For Professionals

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: 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 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, policymaking 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: 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:  8 November 2023

    Schedule: 9:30am – 12:30pm & 2:00 – 5:00pm

    Duration : Total 36 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$42,000

    • Early Bird offer: HK$39,060 (by 6 October 2023)
    • Alumni rate: CUHK/CUSCS/APIB Alumni at HK$37,800
    • Corporate rate/Group rate: $35,700 (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