Sustainable Finance and Ethics

This course explores the intersection of finance, sustainability, and ethics in today’s complex economic landscape. Students will critically examine how financial markets, investment decisions, and corporate finance practices can both support and hinder global sustainability goals. Topics include ESG investing, green bonds, impact finance, climate-related financial disclosures, and the ethical responsibilities of financial actors. Through case studies and practical applications, students will learn to assess sustainability risks and opportunities, navigate regulatory frameworks, and distinguish between meaningful and superficial sustainability strategies. The course also interrogates the moral implications of capital allocation, challenging students to think beyond profit maximization toward broader social and environmental value. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to make informed, ethically sound financial decisions aligned with long-term sustainability.

•    Understand the connection between sustainability and finance
•    Critically assess the ethical dimensions of financial decision-making
•    Analyze how financial instruments and markets can support or undermine societal goals.
•    Understand the most important instruments for sustainable finance 
•    Develop the ability to evaluate sustainable finance strategies for organizations…

In presence

The course uses a highly interactive, discussion-based approach that combines analytical rigor with critical reflection. Students engage with real-world cases, academic readings, and short presentations to challenge assumptions and explore the ethical and sustainability implications of financial decisions. Class sessions include moderated debates, group work, and role-play exercises to deepen understanding and encourage multiple perspectives. Individual and group assignments focus on applying concepts to practice, with particular emphasis on stakeholder analysis and systemic thinking. Students are expected to actively contribute, question dominant narratives, and connect theory to emerging challenges in business and society. Short student-led briefings and continuous feedback are core to the course design, fostering ownership of learning and development of communication skills. The course invites students to explore complexity, ambiguity, and moral nuance in financial contexts—rather than providing pre-packaged answers.ory.

Students are expected to attend the class. The minimum attence is 80% to validate the course.

Students should bring a hand written, self-written A4 page that covers the most important notes in order to avaid large scale bibliographical search in class.

1. Individual  Exam (60%)
A written exam (2,500–3,000 words) to be completed individually. Students respond to 2–3 questions requiring critical application of course concepts to real-world scenarios in sustainable finance and ethics.
Evaluation criteria: Analytical quality, integration of course content, clarity of argumentation, and ethical reasoning.
2. Group Project and Presentation (35%)
Students work in teams to design a sustainable finance solution (e.g., ESG strategy, ethical investment policy). Results are presented in class through a 15-minute presentation and a supporting slide deck.
Evaluation criteria: Relevance, coherence, integration of sustainability and ethics, team contribution, and communication quality.
3. Class Participation (5%)
Assessed based on regular and meaningful contributions to class discussions and preparedness for assigned tasks.