Professional Certificate Programme in Sustainability and ESG Reporting

Participants will explore the environmental, socioeconomic, and infrastructural challenges brought about by climate change, deforestation, and consumption over the past decade. The module emphasizes the urgent need for both public and private sectors to adopt sustainable practices to meet the needs of future generations. The introductory module of the course familiarizes participants with the basics of climate change, its impact on the environment and society, and the role of businesses in addressing these challenges. Participants will gain insights into sustainability issues on a global scale and learn about key international initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development. The module highlights how sustainable development has been progressing globally and specifically in Hong Kong, offering valuable insights into local sustainability efforts and initiatives.

This module is designed to provide participants with a competent understanding of corporate sustainability communication in general and through corporate sustainability reporting in particular, in a context of growing importance of corporate sharing of sustainability information in a globalizing business world. It will start with a visit on the concept of sustainability communication with the focus on purposes and approaches companies should conduct sustainability communication from a stakeholder perspective. It will then give a comprehensive coverage of employing sustainability reporting, with the currently focus on ESG, as a primary mechanism for stakeholder engagement and communication.

This module is designed to provide participants with a competent understanding of corporate sustainability communication in general and through corporate sustainability reporting in particular, in a context of growing importance of corporate sharing of sustainability information in a globalizing business world. It will start with a visit on the concept of sustainability communication with the focus on purposes and approaches companies should conduct sustainability communication from a stakeholder perspective. It will then give a comprehensive coverage of employing sustainability reporting, with the currently focus on ESG, as a primary mechanism for stakeholder engagement and communication. It will conclude by bringing out the business relevance and business value of sustainability reporting in regard to sustainable investing and corporate sustainability rating.

This module focuses on the timely themes and special issues in the field of management in relation to global business and sustainability. It includes, but is not limited to, emerging trends in human capitals and customers experience, strategic management in AI-powered environments, creating shared values, and natural resources management. The module emphasizes the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in ensuring the long-term sustainability of businesses. Participants will learn about the integration of ESG principles into business strategies and operations, and how they contribute to overall sustainability. The module goes beyond theoretical concepts and equips participants with practical tools and frameworks for managing ESG issues.

The module aims to provide participants with the knowledge and understanding of climate change risks and opportunities and their impact on capital markets. Topics will cover circular economy, core climate-economic theory and the role of central banks and supervisory authorities, climate change and equity investment opportunities, climate change risk management. An in-depth understanding of the impact of climate risks on asset allocation and the practical skills of portfolio alignment to a low-carbon economy will also be included.

The module begins by introducing the concept of social sustainability and its significance in the context of business. Participants will gain an understanding of the social aspects of sustainability, including social equity, human rights, labor practices, community engagement, and stakeholder well-being. They will explore the interconnections between social sustainability, environmental sustainability, and economic sustainability. The module will cover strategies for promoting social sustainability within business operations. Participants will explore topics such as diversity and inclusion, employee well-being, ethical leadership, and social impact assessment. They will learn how to integrate social sustainability practices into organizational policies, decision-making processes, and stakeholder engagement.

The green revolution is now the benchmark for excellence. In a world where environmental sustainability is at the forefront of every boardroom discussion, businesses operating in energy-intensive sectors are facing increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprints. Moreover, businesses are facing growing demands from investors and consumers who expect heightened accountability and transparency in sustainability endeavors. Investing in energy-efficient technologies is no longer just a requirement to meet carbon reduction targets; it has become a crucial strategy to safeguard brand reputation in a fiercely competitive market. Participants will explore the economic and financial dimensions of effectively managing energy footprints. They will gain insights into energy cost analysis, assessing the return on investment for energy efficiency projects, and leveraging financial incentives for the adoption of renewable energy. The module will also emphasize the integration of energy management into sustainability reporting, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

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 module 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.

In recent years, a number of organizations have fallen victim to supply-chain vulnerabilities and disruptions, and businesses are increasingly acknowledging the urgent need for 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 module focuses on two main areas: 1) the importance of sustainable supply chains in managing risks and achieving decarbonization, and 2) the adoption of a circular economy mindset to improve resource efficiency. Participants will also be equipped with practical knowledge in supply chain management, monitoring, and evaluation within a sustainability framework.

This module 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.