| Module Title |
Sustainable Finance |
| Module Code |
FBA1054 |
|
Faculty |
DCU Business School |
School |
DCU Business School |
|
NFQ level |
9 |
Credit Rating |
5 |
|
|
Description
This module explores the role of finance in addressing economic, environmental, and social challenges. As environmental risk, climate change, and societal issues become increasingly central to public debate and decision-making, sustainable finance has emerged as a critical field. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals provide a global framework for guiding the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive economy. With most countries committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, unprecedented systemic economic change is required—alongside a “just transition” that ensures fairness, ethical practice, and economic viability.
Given its core function of allocating capital to productive activities, the financial system can play a pivotal role in accelerating the shift toward a decarbonised and circular economy by directing investment to sustainable firms and projects.
This module examines why sustainability matters, the opportunities and challenges it presents for corporations, and the implications for corporate governance, behaviour, business models, and sustainability reporting. It also introduces key approaches to financing sustainability, including sustainable equity investment, sustainable debt instruments (such as green, blue, and social bonds), and strategies for long-term value creation.
|
Learning Outcomes
|
| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
|---|
| Lecture | 24 | 2 Lecture Hours per week | | Class Presentation | 6 | Class Presentation of Group Project | | Directed learning | 12 | Weekly worksheet and discussion | | Independent Study | 84 | Assignment preparation, reading, review lecture materials, group meetings |
| Total Workload: 126 |
|
|
| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 21476 | Part of Term | Semester 2 | | Coursework | 100% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | N | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | Tongbin Xu | Module Teacher | Julie Byrne |
| | Section Breakdown | | CRN | 12237 | Part of Term | Semester 1 | | Coursework | 100% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | N | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | | Module Teacher | |
|
| Assessment Breakdown |
| Type | Description | % of total | Assessment Date |
|---|
| Participation | Weekly worksheet completion and discussion | 20% | Every Week | | Group project | Group project and oral presentation | 35% | Once per semester | | Assignment | Individual assignment | 45% | Once per semester |
| Reassessment Requirement Type |
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment
|
|
Pre-requisite |
None
|
|
Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
|
|
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml
|
Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Recommended and required readings will be provided weekly in advance of class
|
Indicative Reading List
Books:
- Dirk Schoenmaker,Willem Schramade: 2021, Principles of Sustainable Finance, Oxford University Press, USA, 432, 9780198869818
- Cyril Shmatov,Cino Robin Castelli: 2022, Quantitative Methods for ESG Finance, John Wiley & Sons, 247, 978-1-119-90381-9
Articles:
- Assereto, M. and Byrne., J.: 2021, No real option for solar in Ireland: a real option valuation of utility scale solar investment in Ireland, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 143(1), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.110892, 523602
- 2022: The contingent role of conflict: deliberative interaction and disagreement in shareholder engagement, Business Ethics Quarterly, 1(41), 523603, 1
- How to integrate ESG into investment decision making: results of a global survey of institutional investors: Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, 29(4), 523604, 1, Lev, B.
- Journal of Applied Corporate Finance: 70(5),
|
Other Resources
None |
|
|
|
|
