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Sustainability & Financial Markets
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:42:30
Abstract
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.
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
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC , NDS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 20
- Signup End
- 03.03.2020
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Sustainability & Financial Markets
Block course
|
|
28 h semesterly |