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Sustainable Corporate Finance - ECO00117M

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  • Department: Economics and Related Studies
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2025-26

Module summary

The module explores the integration of sustainability factors in corporate financial decision-making and their role in promoting firm value in a socially and environmentally responsible way.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2025-26

Module aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of corporate finance concepts and techniques, along with the knowledge and skills to incorporate sustainability criteria into financial analysis, investment decisions, and capital allocation strategies. Emphasis will be placed on exploring innovative financial instruments, such as green public procurement, public private partnerships, green bonds, social impact bonds, and ESG-focused funds, and evaluating their role in promoting sustainable development and value creation.

Module learning outcomes

  • Evaluate how companies are managed from environmental, social, and governance perspectives.

  • Utilize basic econometric techniques to analyze ESG-related data from sources such as the LSEG Data Platform and Sustainable Leadership Monitor.

  • Evaluate the suitability and performance of ESG investment solutions, such as S&P Carbon Efficient Indices and S&P Europe 350 Carbon Efficient Index, for integrating environmental considerations into investment strategies.

  • Analyze the role of carbon efficiency in investment decisions and its impact on portfolio performance and risk management.

  • Examine various external financing options and funding sources available for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

  • Assess the criteria used by public authorities for assigning Green Public Procurement (GPP) contracts and their implications for sustainable development goals.

  • Conduct financial evaluations of energy efficiency projects, including assessment of funding sources, cost-benefit analysis, and risk assessment.

  • Examine the context and underlying causes of energy poverty, including socio-economic factors and access to energy resources.

  • Analyze data on energy poverty to understand its prevalence, distribution, and impact on communities and economies.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The reassessment for this module will be a revise and resubmit of the original essay.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in line with University policy

Indicative reading

Cheng, H. and Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. (2023), How green finance can bridge the energy poverty gap: Policies to mitigate socioeconomic and environmental consequences, Energy Policy,182, 113758, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113758.

Friede, G., Busch, T. and Bassen, A. (2015), ESG and Financial Performance: Aggregated Evidence from More than 2000 Empirical Studies. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 5(4), pp. 210-233, DOI: 10.1080/20430795.2015.1118917, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2699610

Liu, L. (2024) Green innovation, firm performance, and risk mitigation: evidence from the USA. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26, pp. 24009–24030. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03632-z

World Bank Group (2021). Green Public Procurement: An Overview of Green Reforms in Country Procurement Systems. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/green-public-procurement-an-overview-of-green-reforms-in-country-procurement-systems.pdf.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.