Credit points will awarded for attending all course days.
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of corporate sustainability (see lecture Prof. Hoffmann, autumn semester) and interest in financial markets and investments.
Sustainable investments are becoming increasingly prominent while at the same time current business practices reach beyond ecological limits. Are sustainable investments a myth? Clearly not; however, sustainable investment practices still have to move on. This lecture is focused on the related challenges and discusses ways how the field of sustainable investments could become more effective.
Learning objective
Sustainable investments are becoming increasingly prominent while at the same time the market reality remains unchanged despite evidence that current business practices reach beyond ecological limits and are in breach of both the inter-generational and intra-generational equity. Are sustainable investments a myth? Clearly not - capital markets could indeed play a central role in overcoming this dilemma. However, sustainable investment practices still have to move on for effectively incorporating and promoting sustainability. For this to occur, two central challenges need to be addressed: In order to improve the authenticity of data, it is important to make clear what environmental, social, and governance (ESG) related data is actually measuring. This, in turn, will contribute to ensuring that investors gain trust in ESG-criteria and investments. In order to overcome the prevailing focus on short-term profit maximization, it is necessary to put more emphasis on a systems-perspective. This, in turn, will help investors to move on from having a too narrow ceteris paribus perspective towards addressing risks and opportunities within changing ecological and human-social systems. The learning objectives of this lecture is to understand these two challenges in detail and discusses ways how the field of sustainable investments could move ahead.
Content
Day 1 & 2: Introduction (basic Introduction to theme "Sustainability & Financial Markets"); several Lectures (covering diverse concepts, theories, and practitioner perspectives; case studies); and assignment of topics to students Day 3 & 4: Presentations (students will present their topics in class) & Discussions
Prerequisites / Notice
Number of participants: max. 20 persons. First come first severed by order of enrollment in myStudies.
Credit points will awarded for attending all course days.
Requirements for this course: Basic understanding of corporate sustainability (see lecture Prof. Hoffmann, fall term) and general interest in financial markets and investments.
Students will be noticed about their successful registration at the beginning of the semester.
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course