SMU's Singapore Green Finance Centre launches new courses

The Singapore Green Finance Centre (SGFC) at Singapore Management University (SMU) has launched four new courses in alignment with the Sustainable Finance Jobs Transformation Map revealed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Institute of Banking and Finance.

These courses aim to enhance the skills of financial services professionals, particularly in areas related to sustainability and risk. Led by industry experts and designed with inputs from SGFC partners, these courses cover topics such as sustainable investment management, sustainability stewardship, and carbon markets. The Introduction to Sustainability & Sustainable Finance, is an Asia-specific course for building awareness and offered to members of the public without charge. It is SMU’s first massive open online course (MOOC) and open for enrolment from 17 April 2024.

The four courses offered are: 

1. The SGFC Sustainable Investment Management Course
   Instructed by SMU Associate Professor of Finance Hao Liang, focuses on driving sustainable investment strategies within organizations. 
   
   
    
2. The SGFC Sustainability Stewardship Development Course
   Led by Dr. Rajiv Lall, aims to train participants in implementing effective sustainability stewardship strategies. 
   
   
    
3. The SGFC Carbon Markets and Decarbonisation Strategies Course
   Available later in the year, focusing on key concepts in carbon markets and decarbonization pathways. 
   
   
    
4. The introduction to Sustainability & Sustainable Finance course
   Offered to the public at no cost, provides foundational knowledge in Asia-specific sustainability issues.

These courses address the growing demand for skills in areas such as social sustainability management, climate change management, and sustainability risk management, crucial for designing finance products and risk frameworks. Nikki Kemp, Centre Director for SGFC, emphasises the center's commitment to building sustainable finance capabilities in Singapore and Asia, aiming to transform the sector by nurturing a community of informed practitioners capable of creating solutions for their organizations.

The courses are offered online, allowing flexibility for working professionals, and subsidies are available under the IBF Standards Training Scheme. In addition to these courses, SGFC offers an in-person Climate Finance Academy program and is dedicated to advancing sustainable finance education and research in the region.