E-learning course & Introduction to Sustainable Finance (GIZ, SEB & PAGE)

Private capital mobilisation through sustainable finance instruments is crucial to achieve the unprecedented transformation needed to attain the SDGs and the commitments to the Paris Agreement. The sustainable finance market is growing. For example, the green bond market has been estimated to USD 563 billion, equivalent to less than 1% of the global bond market, estimated at USD 100 trillion. The roles and requirements for the stakeholders in financial markets are shifting, making it essential to understand the relationships between ESG (environmental, social and governance) impact and their own performance.

Regulators have a key role to play in strengthening the market with policies aimed at internalising externalities, improving disclosure and creating harmonised frameworks.

Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂĽr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) and the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) launched the e-learning course “Introduction to Sustainable Finance” available free-of-charge through UN CC:e-Learn.

This interactive and practice-oriented course covers the basics of Sustainable Finance while providing several opportunities to dive deeper. The triple bottom line, which Sustainable Finance advocates, measures not only economic returns, but also positive environmental and social returns.

Participants will learn about sustainable financial products, environmental, social and governance-related risks, market trends, regulation and the challenges ahead.

The e-learning programme is divided into three modules:

1.      Fundamentals of Sustainable Finance

2.      The Sustainable Finance Market

3.      Sustainable Finance Products: Green Bonds and Green Loans

Each module is composed of several lessons. Participants can navigate through the modules and lessons according to their individual interests and level of knowledge.

Participants will also learn about examples of UN-supported initiatives to promote sustainable finance in countries like Mongolia and Indonesia. The course builds on SEB’s collaborations with Sustainable Finance leaders and a large amount of institutional investors, and has been reviewed by an Advisory Board including UNDP, UNEP-FI, IFC, AIM, and EIB.

This course seeks to create value for its participants and contribute to the building of awareness, knowledge and dialogue.