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Sustainable Finance in Action

Overview

Supported by 

DBS

 

In an evolving financial landscape, a crucial question for senior executives is: how can leaders navigate the complexities of sustainable finance to drive meaningful change?

"Sustainable Finance in Action" is a four-day course designed to equip participants with expertise in key areas such as Green Financing, Transition Financing, Biodiversity Financing, and Blended Financing.

Led by senior practitioners in sustainable finance and infrastructure development, the course offers unparalleled insights drawn from extensive collaborations with diverse stakeholders, including governments, investors, developers, and multilateral institutions. A field trip will provide practical insights into ecosystem services and sustainability practices. By the end, attendees will have the knowledge and confidence to lead impactful initiatives within their organisations.

Programme Director

Programme Director Allard NooyAllard Nooy 
Senior Infrastructure Investment Executive
Managing Director, Markland Infrastructure Asia

Faculty

Dr. Hao LiangDr. Hao Liang 
Associate Professor of Finance and Co-Director of the Singapore Green Finance Centre 
Singapore Management University
 
Lim Wee SengMr Lim Wee Seng 
Group Head of Sustainability and Energy, Institutional Banking Group
DBS Bank

 

  • Next Course Starts On To be advisedSee Full Schedule
  • Duration4 days
  • LevelAdvanced
  • VenueSingapore Management University

Learning Objectives

Our 4-day programme will feature Asia-specific case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises to ensure participants gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable finance frameworks, trends and concepts. Acquire the skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead the future of sustainable finance.  

Each day will be dedicated to a specific theme under the umbrella of sustainable finance, with a focus on Green Finance, Transition Finance, Biodiversity Finance and Blended Finance. Within each theme, participants will delve into various aspects through live case studies and examples from the region. 

Topics/Structure

Green financing involves funding projects or businesses that have positive environmental impacts, such as renewable energy projects or sustainable infrastructure development. In our programme, participants will learn about various green financing instruments, such as green bonds and sustainability-linked loans, and how to assess and structure green investment opportunities.

Transition financing focuses on funding projects or businesses that are transitioning towards sustainability, typically from high-carbon to low-carbon activities. The faulty will explore with the participants the challenges and opportunities associated with transition financing, including strategies for managing risks and driving organisational change towards sustainability.

Biodiversity financing involves investing in projects or initiatives that conserve and restore biodiversity, such as ecosystem restoration projects or sustainable agriculture practices. In this programme, participants will explore the importance of biodiversity conservation for sustainable development and learn about innovative financing mechanisms, such as biodiversity offsets and payments for ecosystem services, to support biodiversity conservation efforts.

Blending financing refers to the strategic combination of public, private, and philanthropic capital to finance projects with both financial returns and social or environmental benefits. Participants will examine case studies and practical examples of blended financing models, learning how to design and implement effective solutions. The programme will also cover carbon markets and carbon taxes, providing insights on how these mechanisms can incentivise emission reductions, support sustainable projects, and address pressing social and environmental challenges.

Who Should Attend

- Policymakers and regulators involved in shaping the policy and regulatory landscape for sustainable finance 

- Financial professionals and investors interested in green, transition, blended, and biodiversity finance 

- Business leaders and executives seeking to understand and mitigate environmental and transition risks. 

- Professionals involved in environmental and risk management, taxonomies, measurement, and reporting. 

- Stakeholders interested in the broad area of sustainability.
 

Programme Testimonials

I joined SFIA because its agenda aligned perfectly with my work needs. In Vietnam, sustainable finance is still an emerging field, with limited resources and knowledge, making this opportunity especially valuable. The course exceeded my expectations, with participants and lecturers sharing extensive and useful insights. It helped me deepen my understanding, which has been crucial in designing sustainable finance solutions for corporate clients. Overall, I highly recommend SMU and this programme for its relevant case studies, helpful staff, and excellent networking opportunities.

Ms Duong Thi Kim Dau
Assistant Vice President, 
JSC Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV)
 

As a Board Director with a background in Financial Institutions, I greatly appreciated how sustainable finance integrates innovation with risk mitigation—crucial elements of strategic governance. Sustainable Finance in Action brought together an impressive group of experienced practitioners, offering practical and engaging insights. I highly recommend this course for Board Directors navigating today’s complex sustainability landscape, where innovative financing is pivotal to transforming business models for a net-zero future. Beyond the knowledge gained, I left with a renewed sense of optimism about our collective future.

Ms Yau SiewChoi
Independent Director, University of Newcastle Australia
 

As an executive working in sustainable finance and investment, I constantly seek to renew knowledge in this increasingly important discipline for the ASEAN region. The SMU-DBS Sustainable Finance in Action Programme provided an in-depth insight into multiple facets and latest practices being undertaken and developed in connection with sustainable financing in the region. The lessons and insights were made richer by the open sharing and lived-in experiences of the seasoned contributing practitioners and classmates who are at the front-lines of projects and funding structures, and undertaking the work that goes into pulling off a successful project and financing outcome. I commend the course and its learnings ‘in action’ to those who are already working in, or have an interest in, the field of sustainable finance.

Mr Jeremy Saw
Director, SUSI Partners
Legal & Compliance, Asia
 

The Sustainable Finance in Action Programme offered by SMU was a truly transformative experience. It offered not only a strong theoretical foundation but also valuable practical insights that deepened our understanding of the sustainable finance landscape. Led by seasoned industry experts, the sessions enriched us with real-world case studies and collaborative peer discussions which I found highly relevant and grounded in practical realities. I completed the course with a much clearer perspective on how to align financial decisions with sustainability objectives and more importantly the confidence to apply these learnings in a professional setting. For anyone considering the programme, I highly recommend it. It is  insightful, relevant , timely, and equips you with the tools to drive meaningful change within your organization.

Mr Dorji Phuntsho
CEO, Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan
 

Very well curated with dense and relevant content on topics such as Blended Finance, Carbon Financing, RECs, and I especially liked the sharing session for Project Monsoon. These topics were new and complex, but the speakers made them understandable through interactive discussions. The programme deepened my understanding on sustainable finance, from the underlying principles to the practical tools for assessing project bankability and impact. Highly recommend it to anyone interested in sustainability or sustainable finance as you will learn from expert speakers with real industry experience, and from the attendees that come from diverse sectors and backgrounds. The networking is incredible, giving you access to a community of professionals facing similar challenges and opportunities. I would say this is something you can bring back to your organisation to drive real change, making this course an excellent investment.

Ms Kimberly Lim
Team Head, Corporate Banking,  
Government-Linked & Multinational Companies
Baiduri Bank
 

I attended SMU’s Sustainable Finance in Action programme to delve into critical blended finance areas such as transition finance, biodiversity finance, and the use of carbon markets. Representing the World Bank, I was eager to engage with like-minded professionals and advance our collective goals. The programme surpassed my expectations with its well-chosen topics and presenters. It provided an enriching experience as it is designed for senior leaders passionate about sustainable finance. It also offers an unparalleled opportunity to network with influential executives in SEA and beyond. I was impressed by the participants' enthusiasm, diversity, and direct questions. Attending the programme has helped me perfect my understanding of sustainable finance. It provided me with innovative ideas and tools that could potentially help me structure financial solutions for our clients.

Mr Ludovic Delplanque
Senior Infrastructure Specialist (Energy)
The World Bank

Fees and Funding

SGD 6322

(Inclusive 9% GST with effect from 1st Jan 2024)*

SGD 5800

(Excluding 9% GST with effect from 1st Jan 2024)

Skillsfuture Credit ID: TGS-2024047923

*Fee is subject to change. GST applies to individuals and Singapore-registered companies. 

** Fee is subject to change. GST is not applicable to foreign based companies. 

For more information, please contact Desmond Ng at 

Tel: +65 6808 5393
Email: desmondngjj@smu.edu.sg 

Schedule

Start Date(s):

Intake Information :23 Jun 2025 (4 Days)