Unit Outline

Global sustainability challenges – including climate change, natural resource depletion, and rising inequality – are affecting the commercial environment in a way that presents both risks and opportunities for the financial sector. This unit studies the evidence of how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors matter and explains in detail how to incorporate these in company financial models and strategies, equity investing, bond investing, and bank lending. The unit equips students with knowledge, understanding and ability to apply the key principles and core practice of green and sustainable finance. Specific aims are to increase the student’s knowledge and understanding of: • climate change and its impacts • climate risks and emerging environmental and sustainability risks • the evolution of green and sustainable products and services in the banking, investment, and insurance sectors • increasing awareness of the role of the finance sector and finance professionals in supporting the transition to a low-carbon world.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Appraise the role of sustainable finance in making investment and financing decisions
2.	Assess and apply analytical decision-making techniques to the valuation of green finance instruments
3.	Critically evaluate the techniques applied to sustainability in making financial decisions
4.	Communicate evidence-based sustainable finance solutions.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Assignment	Week 4	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Assignment	Week 8	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Group assignment	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Assignment

Task Description:

The individual assignment will draw on content from weeks 1 – 4.

This is an individual assignment where students will be required reflect on tools and techniques used for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Students will be required to identify the challenges and opportunities for green finance.

This is a case study analysis report designed to build your understanding of sustainable development goals. Students will apply skills acquired in class to write the report based on the case study.

Detailed guidelines and instructions will be distributed on MyLO.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Review key sustainable finance concepts in financial decision-making	LO1
2	Reflect on the role of finance in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals	LO1
3	Evaluate state-of-art financing models for green assets	LO2
4	Critically evaluate the tools and techniques used for achieving Sustainable Development Goals	LO3
5	Critically evaluate a range of economic and financial government instruments to correct externalities and market failures	LO3
6	Propose recommendations which integrate to United Nations sustainable goals in financing	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Assignment

Task Description:

The individual assignment will draw on content from weeks 5 – 8.

This is a report designed to build your understanding of sustainable finance products. You will reflect on the appropriate approaches to achieving sustainability in the financial products. You will recommend financial products suitable for investors to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Detailed guidelines and instructions will be distributed on MyLo.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Propose recommendations that integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in financing	LO1
2	Evaluate the state-of-art financing models for green assets	LO2
3	Apply environmental, social and governance (ESG) knowledge to create financial solutions	LO3
4	Critique the application of appropriate frameworks to responsible investment policies	LO3
5	Integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in financing to propose solutions	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Group assignment

Task Description:

This is a group assessment task where students (group of 3) be required to write an analytical report applying sustainable finance concepts to analyse and then propose solutions to a real-world issue. The group assignment will require students to apply the concept of integrated thinking in proposing new solutions to sustainability in financial system.

Students will work in a team to reflect on their experiences on a team.

Detailed guidelines and instructions will be distributed on MyLo.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Reflect on the role of finance in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals	LO1
2	Critique the impact of sustainable finance on financing markets, market participants, and financial instruments	LO1
3	Evaluate state-of-art financing models for green assets	LO2
4	Assess environmental, social and governance (ESG) knowledge in creating financial solutions	LO3
5	Integrate United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to propose financing recommendations	LO4
6	Work productively in a group to justify recommendations	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.