Sustainable Investing
Sustainable Investing equips investment professionals and those in related fields with the insights, frameworks, and skills to evaluate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors and measure and manage impact investments.
Apply NowWhat You'll Learn
- Explore the evolving sustainable investing landscape
- Understand how to incorporate ESG factors into investment decisions
- Apply frameworks to measure and monitor sustainable investment opportunities
- Analyze cutting-edge implementation strategies
- Gain insights into the climate risk inherent in investment opportunities
- Discover how to integrate risks into financial models
- Think critically about how and where to add value while avoiding “impact washing”
About the Professors
Shawn Cole is the John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He’s an affiliate of the National Bureau of Economic Research and the Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development. Cole is also a co-founder and board chair of the global nonprofit Precision Development, which provides customized digital information and services to smallholder farmers in developing countries.
Vikram Gandhi is a Senior Lecturer of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He’s
the founder of impact investing platform Asha Impact and senior advisor to the Canada
Pension Plan Investment Board. Gandhi is also a chairperson on the board of the Growth
for Good Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) which
seeks organizations with innovative solutions critical to creating a more inclusive,
sustainable world.
Who Will Benefit
Investment Professionals
Learn how to evaluate, measure, and manage sustainable investment opportunities with cutting-edge frameworks, strategies, and techniques.
Financial Advisors, Consultants, and Government, Business, and Nonprofit Leaders
Gain frameworks and analytical tools you can apply to make future financial decisions that serve your clients’ or organization’s goals and objectives.
Early-Career Professionals
Develop practical skills you can apply to one of the fastest-growing fields in finance.
Please Note: To succeed in the course, participants should have completed an introductory finance course or equivalent at some point during their education and possess a basic understanding of investment management, capital markets, and asset classes.
Program Structure
Sustainable Investing consists of approximately 30 hours of material delivered over a six-week period. You can complete the coursework on your own time while meeting regular deadlines.
Interested in using this course for CFA Institute credit? The CFA Institute—including the Chartered Financial Analyst and Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement programs—allows its members the ability to self-determine and self-report continuing education credits earned from external sources. CFA Institute members are encouraged to self-document such credits in their online Professional Learning tracker.
- Length: 6 Weeks
- Program Dates: 7/13/22 – 8/24/22
- Cost: $1,750
- Application Deadline: July 4
- Detailed Calendar
- Length: 6 Weeks
- Program Dates: 9/14/22 – 10/26/22
- Cost: $1,750
- Application Deadline: September 5
- Detailed Calendar
Sustainable Investing is part of the Finance & Accounting and Business in Society Learning Tracks. If you’re interested in developing deeper insights and expertise, you can choose to complete three finance & accounting or three business in society courses within 18 months to earn a Certificate of Specialization.
Syllabus
Sustainable Investing will equip you with the insights, frameworks, and skills to evaluate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors and measure and manage impact resulting from investments. You will explore the evolving sustainable investing landscape, understand how to incorporate ESG factors into investment decisions, gain insights into climate risk and how to incorporate those implications into financial models, and develop your own perspective on the interaction of investing and impact.
Learning requirements: In order to earn a Certificate of Completion, participants must thoughtfully complete all 6 modules, including satisfactory completion of associated quizzes, by stated deadlines.
| Modules | Case Studies | Takeaways | Key Exercises |
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| Module 1: Overview of Sustainable Investing |
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| Module 2: Public Equities |
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| Module 3: Venture, Private Equity, and Sustainable Debt |
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| Module 4: Measuring, Managing, and Accounting for Impact |
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| Module 5: Integrating Climate Risk and Financing Climate Solutions |
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| Module 6: Long-Run Theories of Change |
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The HBS Online Advantage
- World-class faculty
- Edge-of-your-seat online learning
- Global peer collaboration and networking
- Real-world, case-based learning
Harvard Business School Online offers a unique and highly engaging way to learn vital business concepts. Immerse yourself in real challenges faced by industry-leading experts at organizations such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Omidyar Network, Cambridge Associates, State Street Corporation, Generation Investment Management, CalSTRS, DBL Partners, Meridiam, TPG: The Rise Fund, 60 Decibels, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Generate Capital, TotalEnergies Ventures, Social Finance, and the Ford Foundation.
Stories from Our Learners
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HBS Online was an invaluable and essential education. The information provided, the quality of the presentation, and the high-level engagement among students surpassed my expectations.
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The platform was engaging, innovative, and allowed me to interact with the material in a way I never expected from an online course.
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A few weeks into the course, accounting terminology came alive as I realized why accounting is the language of business. I can now talk confidently with clients and understand the business aspect of their problems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to log in at a set time? How does the grading process work? At this point, you probably have a few questions, and we’ve got answers.
Enrollment Eligibility
Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the course. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.
Enroll today in Harvard Business School Online's Sustainable Investing course.
Apply Now