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ICM516: Sustainable Investments
Module code: ICM516
Module provider: ICMA Centre; Henley Business School
Credits: 20
Level: 7
When you'll be taught: Semester 2
Module convenor: Dr Lisa Schopohl, email: l.schopohl@icmacentre.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: No
Talis reading list: No
Last updated: 19 November 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
This module explores how financial investors incorporate sustainability considerations and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into their investment decisions. The module offers an introduction to the main sustainable investment strategies, the main players (governments, supranational institutions, corporations, investment funds, banks) in the sustainable investment space and the application of sustainable investment in different asset classes. A particular focus in this module is on green and climate change-related investments, but the module also explores the social and ethical dimensions of sustainable investment.Â
The aim of the module is to familiarise students with the main strategies employed in sustainable investments and the role that sustainable investment can play in addressing societal challenges such as climate change. Using real-world examples and ESG data, students will learn about the key challenges and opportunities that investors incorporating ESG criteria face. Students will also be introduced to the crucial role of financial regulation and voluntary standards/principles in the sustainable investment space.Â
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:Â
- outline the main sustainable investment strategies and explain how ESG is incorporated into different asset classes Â
- discuss the role of key players in the sustainable investment spaceÂ
- critically evaluate the role of ESG ratings and the quality of ESG data in promoting ESG investmentÂ
- critically discuss the main challenges and opportunities in sustainable and green investment, including greenwashing, and the role of regulation and voluntary standards in promoting and hindering sustainable and green investmentÂ
Module content
- Introduction to sustainable investment and its main playersÂ
- Sustainable / ESG investment strategiesÂ
- The role of ESG ratings and ESG dataÂ
- Green bonds and ESG in the fixed income marketÂ
- Sustainable investment in the equity marketsÂ
- Sustainable real estate investments Â
- Public-private partnership (PPP) investments and climate change Â
- Green portfolio management Â
- Climate investments and FintechÂ
- Sustainable investment regulation and disclosureÂ
- Greenwashing and other critical issues in sustainable investmentÂ
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
The topics are introduced in lectures which are then followed by seminars which allow for a deeper discussion of the concepts. Case studies and real-world examples are used throughout the module to highlight the real-world investment context in which sustainable investment strategies are applied.Â
Study hours
At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 20 | ||
Seminars | 10 | ||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | |||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 170 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
50% weighted average mark
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral assessment | Individual presentation | 30 | Semester 2 Week 10 Teaching | Individual oral presentation | |
Written coursework assignment | Individual project | 70 | 3,000 words | Semester 2 Week 3 Assessment | Individual project |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Students get the opportunity to discuss and debate cases and examples in the seminars and lectures. Short, weekly quizzes provide students with an overview of the main topics and concepts covered each week.
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Individual project | 100 | 3,000 words | During the University resit period | Individual project |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Required textbooks | Thompson, S. (2022) 'Green and Sustainable Finance $£ Principles and Practice', Kogan Page Ltd: London (UK), New York (US) | £45 |
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.