Description
Curriculum
Instructor
https://www.coursera.org/specializations/ai-foundations-business-professionals
Course Overview
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Course Title | Principles of Sustainable Finance |
| Institution | Erasmus University Rotterdam |
| Platform | Coursera |
| Instructors | Steve Kennedy + 4 more |
| Level | Intermediate (some related experience recommended) |
| Delivery Type | Self-paced, Fully Online |
| Certificate | Shareable Certificate available |
| Certificate Fee | Paid (Certificate purchase or Coursera Plus subscription) |
| Access to Content | Free to audit (no certificate) / Paid for certificate |
| Duration | ~2 weeks (10 hours/week) |
| Effort Required | ~20 hours total |
| Prerequisites | None officially required (but intermediate context) |
| Languages | English + 23 subtitle languages |
| Enrollments | 70,342+ learners |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.7/5 (1,903 reviews) |
2. Learning Outcomes
| No. | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the principles of sustainable finance and why sustainability matters for the financial sector. |
| 2 | Learn how the UN Sustainable Development Goals intersect with finance. |
| 3 | Grasp the long-term perspective of finance in supporting sustainable economies. |
| 4 | Understand the role of financial systems in driving sustainability transitions. |
| 5 | Gain practical insights into sustainable banking, asset management, and risk frameworks. |
3. Course Modules (Weekly/Section Breakdown)
| Module # | Module Title | Topics Covered | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sustainability Challenge | Introduction to sustainable finance and the role of finance in sustainability | Videos, readings, assignment, discussion |
| 2 | Dealing with Sustainability Challenges | Externalities, integrated value thinking, scenario analysis | Videos, readings, assignment |
| 3 | The Purpose of Companies | Corporate governance, stakeholder responsibility, sustainability strategy | Videos, readings, quiz, assignment |
| 4 | Sustainable Business Models | Strategy alignment with sustainability, reporting, long-term value creation | Videos, readings, assignment |
| 5 | Sustainable Asset Management | Investing for sustainability, long-term capital strategies | Videos, readings, assignment |
| 6 | Sustainable Banking | Sustainable lending, opportunities and obstacles in banking | Videos, reading, assignment |
| 7 | Climate Risk & Insurance | Climate stress testing, catastrophe models, mitigating climate risks | Videos, readings, assignment |
| 8 | Steering the Transition | Future visions for finance aligned with sustainability goals | Videos, reading, assignment |
| 9 | Take-aways: What Can You Do? | Reflections, actionable insights, sustainability journey | Video, readings, discussions |
4. Course Materials
| Material Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Video Lectures | Concept and case videos on sustainable finance principles |
| Readings | Additional required and optional readings |
| Quizzes | Knowledge checks in some modules |
| Assignments | Practical learning tasks |
| Discussions | Peer interaction and reflection prompts |
| Assessments | Graded assignments for certificate |
5. Skills Gained
| Category | Skills |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | Sustainable development frameworks |
| Finance | Sustainable finance principles |
| ESG | Environmental, Social, Governance foundations |
| Risk Management | Financial risk within sustainability |
| Asset Management | Long-term and sustainable investment strategies |
| Banking | Sustainable banking practices |
| Stakeholder Engagement | Strategies for responsible stakeholder interaction |
| Reporting | Sustainability reporting fundamentals |
6. Assessment Structure
| Component | Weight / Importance |
|---|---|
| Assignments | Required (practical application) |
| Quizzes | Present in some modules |
| Discussion Prompts | Optional peer engagement |
| Final Assessment | Module-based |
7. Certificate Information
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Coursera & Erasmus University Rotterdam |
| Verification | Digital certificate with verification link |
| Format | Digital certificate |
| Add to LinkedIn | Yes |
| Recognition | Professional credential for sustainability and finance topics |
8. Who This Course Is For
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Finance Professionals | Those wanting sustainable finance insights |
| Sustainability Practitioners | People integrating ESG into business |
| Analysts | Financial analysts exploring climate finance |
| Strategy Teams | Business strategists focusing on long-term value |
| Students | Business/finance students seeking sustainability literacy |
| Investors | Individuals exploring ESG investment frameworks |
9. Tools & Technologies Used
| Category | Tools / Topics |
|---|---|
| Financial Frameworks | ESG frameworks, UN SDGs |
| Analysis Tools | Scenario analysis |
| Risk Models | Climate risk evaluation techniques |
| Strategy Tools | Sustainable business modeling |
| Reporting Methods | Sustainability reporting fundamentals |
10. Summary
Principles of Sustainable Finance is an intermediate-level online course offered by Erasmus University Rotterdam on Coursera. It presents a comprehensive introduction to how finance can drive sustainable development, linking sustainability frameworks with practical financial instruments and strategies. The course covers sustainable banking, asset management, climate risk, and corporate finance considerations. Completing the course earns a shareable digital certificate and equips learners with practical skills in sustainable finance and ESG principles
certificate upon completion.
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