Postgraduate Courses

This course will provide an advanced foundation in the study and practice of green finance at the level required for postgraduate studies. As the field of green finance is inherently interdisciplinary, the course will take a broad view of green finance and include perspectives from public policy, climate risks and management, environmental science and governance, finance and other aspects in related areas. It will elaborate core concepts in green finance and explain their evolution as well as the reasons behind. It will also delve into the policies and practices of green finance from an international comparative perspective. Carbon trading and carbon neutrality, as the hot pursed topics related to green finance, will also be covered. Gaps for strengthening the green finance system will be critically discussed calling for reflections and actions at the end of the course.

This course delves into the multifaceted realm of Green Technology and Innovation (GTI), exploring its significance in today's world. Through examining innovation systems, economic policies, and global disparities, we analyze the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Additionally, we scrutinize the pivotal roles of lithium batteries, electric vehicles, and industry choices in shaping sustainable development.

This course equips students with knowledge and skills to leverage big data for environmental modeling and decision-making in the context of carbon neutrality. Through lectures, case studies, and projects, students learn cutting-edge statistical and computational tools to process, analyze, and visualize large-scale environmental datasets, and apply these techniques to real-world problems related to climate change mitigation, renewable energy, and sustainable land use.

As the magnitudes of environmental problems have increased, many of the most severe issues have become truly global challenges. Hundreds of international agreements have been signed, but their effectiveness has been inconsistent. Heightened concern about environmental quality has increased demand analysts who can navigate the political, economic, scientific, and technological dimensions of these issues to inform critical policy decisions in a multinational context. This course is designed to introduce students to the main concepts, issues, frameworks, and actors involved in addressing environmental problems of global scale. The perspective taken here is that of a policy maker confronting decisions about the formation of international environmental policy and the management of it. A central theme of the course involves the challenges of addressing global problems while accommodating cross-national differences in interpretations of scientific risk and uncertainty.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a crucial tool for evaluating the environmental performance of products and processes throughout their whole life cycle. This course provides comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in understanding the fundamental steps to conduct and utilize LCA for improvement and innovation towards sustainable practices. The students will also learn about the application of LCA in various industries, including energy, solid waste, and green buildings.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the role of market mechanisms and financial instruments in addressing climate change and promoting the transitionto a low-carbon economy. The course covers the fundamental concepts, theories, and practices related to carbon markets, carbon pricing, and climate finance. Students will learn about the design, implementation, and operation of various carbon market mechanisms, such as cap-and-trade systems, carbon taxes, and voluntary carbon markets. The course also examines innovative climate finance instruments, including green bonds, climate funds, and climate risk insurance, and their potential to mobilize capital for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. Through case studies, simulations, and hands-on projects, students will gain practical skills in analyzing, designing, and evaluating carbon market and climate finance interventions.

This course provides a foundation for carbon accounting and management, focusing on the measurement, reporting, and reduction of carbon emissions in business and organizations. Students will explore various tools and methodologies for carbon accounting, as well as strategies for integrating carbon management into business operations.

The course will introduce students to the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration landscape and the different investment approaches that seek to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will learn to assess ESG risks and opportunities, integrate sustainable criteria into investment analysis, and develop portfolios that contribute to social and environmental impact.

This course is designed for students who have interests to incorporate a financial and strategic understanding for their future positions related to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). The course will guide studentsthrough the drivers and fundamentals of sustainability including key ESG concepts such as climate change and net zero, and equality and inclusion. Students will explore the ISSB, TCFD and other relevant standards and regulations; and learn about risk management and finance, and governance. Students will also learn why and how to incorporate ESG and sustainability into company’s strategic and financial planning and how to manage and communicate with company’s stakeholders.

This course will introduce and discuss various innovations in financial technology (fintech) that promote the effective channeling of capital to investment projects that contribute to a more sustainable future. Examples of fintech innovations include impact investing platforms, blockchain technology, digital payment, data analytics on environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration, and robo-advisors for sustainable investing.

This course provides a holistic overview of carbon finance modeling and equips participants with quantitative skills and analytical tools that are necessary for understanding, analyzing, and modeling the financial implications of carbon-related activities, climate policies, and sustainable investment opportunities.

This course offers students the chance to acquire essential career readiness skills and knowledge. These workshops are facilitated by the faculty members of CNCC Thrust and cover a wide range of topics, such as resume writing techniques, effective strategies for navigating career fairs, and exploring different career path options, among others. Graded P or F.

This course is the first part of a 6-month mandatory and guaranteed internship. It provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the industry, applying the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their academic program. Under the guidance of both academic supervisors and industry mentors, students will work on real-world projects related to carbon neutrality and green finance. This hands-on experience will enable students to develop a deeper understanding of how their expertise can be applied to address various climate change challenges faced by organizations. Throughout the internship, students will enhance their problem-solving abilities, professional communication skills, and industry-specific knowledge, preparing them for successful careers in the field of sustainable finance and environmental management.

This course is the second part of a 6-month mandatory and guaranteed internship. It is an advanced industry training course that builds upon the knowledge and experience gained in CNGF 6050 Internship I. In this course, students will continue to work under the guidance of their academic supervisors and industry mentors to tackle more complex, real-world problems related to carbon neutrality and green finance. This course emphasizes the refinement of research skills, critical thinking, and professional development, preparing students to become leaders in the field of sustainable finance and environmental management.

Independent project in a designated subject under direct guidance of a faculty member to provide students the advanced knowledge and research skill sets on a topic of Carbon Neutrality and Green Finance. Required readings, tutorial discussions, and submission of report(s) will be used for assessment. The course may be repeated for credit if different topics are studied. Graded P or F.