Sustainable Business Initiative - Executive Education

Rethink knowledge. Impact your world

Sustainability Strategyfor the Financial Services

Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh’s main hills, set right in the city centre.

It is unmistakable with its Athenian acropolis poking above the skyline.

Edinburgh is the second largest financial centre in the United Kingdom after the City of London and the fourth in Europe by equity assets.

3Sustainable Business Initiative Sustainability Strategy for the Financial Services

The financial services industry has experienced a major shift in the last decade, as sustainability becomes a key strategic imperative.

This is spurred on by numerous governance scandals, controversial lending practices, short termism and increasingly prevalent instances of corporate fraud – e.g., unethical trading practices. Furthermore, the sheer cost of the global financial crisis in 2008/09 has urged governments to act. For instance, after a recent 2009 G-20 summit in Pittsburgh, USA, a report was issued that specifically addressed the state-of-affairs in the financial industry:

Overview“Far more needs to be done to protect consumers, depositors, and investors against abusive market practices [and] promote high quality standards…”

New regulatory and governance regimes have taken place, as well as new market opportunities. The quest for sustainability – i.e. the consideration of environmental, social and governance issues in investment and financial decisions – is beginning to redefine the global competitive landscape. As such, the global market is shifting and business models are adjusting to meet the demands of the new world economy. Many financial institutions have responded

by redesigning their commercial outlook. In fact, many global financial sector players, like Goldman Sachs (through its GS Sustain programme) are beginning to take advantage of the new opportunities.

This course is based on the mantra that ‘sustainability is now, and sustainability is the future’. Participants will learn foundational perspectives of corporate sustainability in financial industry and more advanced concepts. These include, amongst others, risk mitigation, carbon financial Islamic banking and microfinance.

Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to understand what sustainability can mean for your organisation – both in terms of avoiding the risks, and capitalising from the opportunities.

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At the end of the programme, participants should be able to:

è Identify the major trends and issues in the global financial services industry and implications for their business

è Diagnose the sustainability needs of their companies and articulate appropriate strategies to meet these needs

è Engage with different stakeholder groups including employees, local communities and the government

è Apply the economic, environmental and social impacts of sustainability initiatives and actions on their firm and relevant stakeholders

è Prepare sustainability reports which are accessible to relevant stakeholders and the markets

è Engage with CSR and Sustainability service providers, consultants and contractors

è Understand the dynamics of the international market for sustainable finance and the main actors

è Critically reflect on – and rethink – the role of financial institutions in the society and their role in meeting the sustainability agenda

Outcomes & Benefits

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This workshop will be suitable for Managing Directors, Executive Directors, and General Managers in the banking and finance services sector.

We also accommodate for specialised functions, including risk, project finance, control and investment.

If you require training for other financial roles, please contact us to see whether we are able to accommodate your needs. Our academic and industry network encompasses an expansive set of expertise.

Target Audience

Programme Design & Objectives

Part 1 è Sustainability trends and issues in the financial sector è Financial Institutions and Sustainable Development è Governance and Risk Management in the Financial

Services Sector è Base of the Pyramid (BOP) Financial Solutions

(including Microfinance and Venture Philanthropy) è Sustainable Project Finance è Rethinking the Role of Financial Institutions in the

Society è Social Investment and Community Relation Strategies è Responsible Practices in the Workplace (including è Health & Safety, Work-Life Balance and Human

Rights) è Economic, Environmental and Social Impact

Assessments è Sustainability Reporting and Investor Relations

The McEwan Hall is the graduating hall of the University of Edinburgh. It was presented to the University in 1897 by William McEwan, brewer and politician, at a cost of £115,000.

A striking feature of the McEwan Hall is its large dome. On the inside of the dome is a biblical inscription: Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom, and with all thy

getting, get understanding. Exalt her and she shall bring thee to honour.

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Part 2 è The Principle for Responsible Investment: Business Case,

History & Success è An Overview of Responsible Banking and Finance

Associations Worldwide è Responsible Banking and Finance: From Basics to

Business Opportunities è Case Study: FTSE4Good and MSCI è Responsible Investment in Emerging Markets è Company Visit è Special Topic 1: Islamic Banking and Microfinance è City Tour of Edinburgh è Special Topic 2: Carbon Markets and Clean Development

Mechanism è Guest Speaker e.g. The Royal Bank of Scotland, Triodos

Bank, MSCI

Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI)The University of Edinburgh 29 Buccleuch PlaceEdinburgh, EH8 9JSUnited Kingdom

Our programmes can be customised for organisations, and can be delivered in Edinburgh and other locations. Please contact us to discuss your requirements

sbi@ed.ac.uk tel: +44 (0)131 6511572

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