GY326 Half Unit
Sustainable Business and Finance
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Richard Perkins
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in Geography with Economics, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis
Course content
This course seeks to explore and critically interrogate the governance of environmental sustainability by corporate and financial actors - commonly framed in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable investment, respectively. Drawing on a range of theoretical ideas, the emphasis of the course is on providing students with an understanding of the motives, practices and outcomes of market actors’ growing involvement in sustainability. Topics covered include business ethics, strategic CSR, net zero, ESG (environmental, social and governance) data/ratings, green bonds, and greenwashing.
Teaching
22.5 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
Formative assessment
Students will be expected to produce a formative policy brief plan in the Autumn Term.
Indicative reading
Cato, M.S. (2022). Sustainable Finance: Using the Power of Money to Change the World. Berlin, Palgrave Macmillan/Springer Cham.
Martindale, W. (2023). Responsible Investment: An Insider's Account of What's Working, What's Not and Where Next. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan/Springer.
Rasche, A. et al. (eds.) (2023). Corporate Sustainability: Managing Responsible Business in a Globalised World. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Schoenmaker, D. and Schramade, W. (2018). Principles of Sustainable Finance. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Assessment
Policy brief (100%, 3000 words)
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 6
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 87
Average class size 2024/25: 87
Capped 2024/25: Yes(90)Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication