Module: Sustainable Finance

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

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

1. Explain the key concepts, principles, and drivers of sustainable finance and evaluate their relevance to contemporary economic, environmental, and societal challenges.
2. Analyse the impact of climate change, environmental risk, and social factors on financial markets, corporate strategy, and investment decision-making.
3. Assess the role of financial institutions and capital markets in advancing the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive, and circular economy, including the implications of global policy frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and net-zero commitments.
4. Evaluate corporate sustainability practices, including governance structures, business model adaptation, internalisation of externalities, and sustainability reporting standards.
5. Compare and appraise sustainable financial instruments, such as green, blue, and social bonds, and assess approaches to sustainable equity investing and long-term value creation.
6. Identify and be able to evaluate renewable energy projects
7. Manage a collaborative project, communicate professionally in a group, manage conflict constructively and work equitably to achieve a shared goal.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
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	Julie Byrne	Module Teacher

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

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
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