Why this program?
The program comprehensively conveys the special features, opportunities and risks of sustainable investments. Through the cooperation with the DVFA, participants are not only taught the scientific background, but also the practice-oriented methods for the evaluation and analysis of investments. Participants learn to create investment strategies tailored to sustainability, to comply with reporting obligations in the area of sustainability, to manage sustainability risks and to be able to advise clients on the sustainability characteristics of their investments.
Introduction to Sustainable Development and Sustainable Investing
Explanation of the concept of sustainability and its historical development, presentation and significance of the UN-SDGs as well as other current political initiatives and strategies.
Sustainable strategy and reporting
Presentation of different models of sustainable corporate management (stakeholder value approach; consideration of materiality aspects (“materiality”)), as well as explanation of the framework conditions of sustainability reporting; regulatory aspects arising from the Taxonomy Regulation and the Non-Financial Reporting Regulation are also considered.
Sustainable governance
Consideration of the relevant governance elements to ensure sustainability strategies. International comparison of governance systems. Consideration of the relationship between governance and sustainability effectiveness, including presentation of the DVFA governance scorecard.
Sustainability Ratings and Labels
Overview of existing ESG ratings and labels and their relevance. The focus is on a comparison of the different ratings, especially against the background of the materiality of sustainability in different industries and for different classes of companies (eg size, legal form, etc.).
Sustainable financial products
Presentation of various asset classes and sustainable financial products (equity and debt) in a market overview. The focus is on green bonds, social bonds and incentive loans, among others.
Regulatory Framework for Sustainable Investments
Presentation of the relevant national and international regulatory framework based on the EU Action Plan 2018, Taxonomy Regulation, Shareholder Rights Directive, etc.
Investment strategies for sustainable investments
Presentation of the various investment strategies with regard to sustainable investments: exclusion, screening, ESG integration, impact investing, etc. Also presentation of the DVFA stewardship guidelines and comparison with international guidelines.
ESG performance and risks
Addressing the management of risks arising from environmental, social and governance factors. Different methods of risk measurement and management (e.g. scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, simulations, etc.) are presented.
Investors' sustainability preferences
This module explains the importance investors place on sustainability. This includes: Relationship between fund volume/growth and sustainability and causal evidence; trade-off between returns and sustainability from an investor's perspective, impact of sustainability on flow performance relationship, importance of certain sustainability criteria, separation between institutional and retail investor preferences.
None
The program is designed primarily for financial, investment and retail advisors, analysts, credit, corporate and risk management advisors, corporate finance, treasury, investor relations and foundation staff, and executives.
