ESG Investing
Develop skills in sustainable investing by examining the ESG movement and regulatory efforts, and become equipped to make informed investment decisions in this program offered by Columbia Business School Executive Education.
Modules/Weeks
Weekly Effort
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School
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Course Description
This program focuses on an evidence-based approach to sustainable investing, examining the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) movement that has emerged from the United Nations' corporate social responsibility initiative 20 years ago. Financial institutions and organizations have launched sustainability initiatives related to ESG investing, but there are critical questions to ask when evaluating ESG investments, such as regulatory efforts, portfolio management, and climate change risk.
Participants will examine the origins of the stakeholder movement, which forms the basis for ESG investing. They will learn how to utilize appropriate ESG reporting frameworks for their industry, analyze ESG ratings and supplementary data to ensure sound investment decisions, and understand how organizations are responding to climate risk. Additionally, they will gain knowledge on how to use ESG data to inform stock picks and portfolio allocation decisions, and describe the future of ESG investing and how it will evolve. By the end of the program, participants will have a strong foundation in sustainable investing and will be equipped to make informed investment decisions in ESG.
Course Prerequisites
This program is open to participants with a range of backgrounds, but it is designed for individuals who have experience in corporate finance, investment management, or banking. It is particularly suitable for senior executives who wish to understand the current sustainable investing landscape and incorporate sustainability factors into their organizations' financial and investment decisions. Additionally, mid-career managers and analysts who play a key role in their organizations' financial matters and serve in finance or investment functions are encouraged to enroll.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this program, participants will have a strong foundation in sustainable investing and be equipped with the skills to make informed investment decisions. The program covers finance and sustainability as integrated subjects, beginning with an introduction to financial and investment principles, and ending with financial analysis, financing, and valuation. Participants will examine the origins of the stakeholder movement, identify the risks associated with climate change, analyze ESG ratings, and understand how organizations are responding to climate risk. Additionally, they will learn how to choose appropriate ESG reporting frameworks, analyze claims made by organizations about their sustainability efforts, and explore the future of ESG investing.
Instructors
Shivaram Rajgopal is the Kester and Byrnes Professor of Accounting and Auditing at Columbia Business School. He has also been a faculty member at Duke University, Emory University, and the University of Washington. Rajgopal’s research interests span financial reporting, earnings quality, fraud, executive compensation, and corporate culture. His research is frequently cited in the popular press, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Fortune, Forbes, The Financial Times, Business Week, and The Economist.