Why take this course?

Climate change and the transition to net zero creates risk and opportunity for the finance sector. Finance professionals need to know how to navigate the complexities of climate risk and opportunity in their sectors, organisations and roles.

With mandatory reporting of climate-related financial risk on the horizon, and the Australian Government’s new Sustainable Finance Strategy in place, it’s more important than ever that finance professionals build their knowledge and skills in this rapidly evolving area of expertise.

This course is presented by leading experts in sustainable finance and futures thinking, engaged with the latest international developments in these areas. It will prepare you with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of climate finance risk and opportunity, and will take you deeper into understanding the role of finance in responding to the climate crisis. You will engage with peers around key issues and learn practical tools to enhance your thinking on climate finance risk and opportunity, enhancing your capacity to motivate and lead change.

Who is this course for?

Finance professionals working in sectors including:

Superannuation

Asset management

Insurance

Banking

Professional services

Government

Corporates

Finance professionals working in roles including:

Fund management

Responsible investment

Risk management/analysis

Reporting and disclosure

Government affairs/external policy and regulation

Corporate governance

Financial management

Product development

Sales and business development

Customer/client engagement / Account Management

Course content

Day 1: Risk

Climate finance foundations:

Introductions to sustainability challenges

Foundations of climate science, review of climate risks for Australia and analysis of case study exercise

Understanding climate risks (physical and transition)

Connecting with nature risk

Navigating the net zero transition

Sustainability mindsets and culture

Understanding tipping points and transitions

Climate scenarios and decarbonisation pathways

The role of finance

Implications for your organisation

Day 2: Opportunity

The climate finance landscape:

Australian Government’s Sustainable Finance Strategy

Climate-related financial disclosure legislation, AASB draft standard and IFRS S1 and S2 global framework

Nature-risk disclosure and nature markets

Net-zero transition plans

Prudential Capital

Blended finance

Investing in the future:

Investment opportunities, developments in equity and climate technologies

Green bonds and green markets

Labelling and certification

Leading the transition:

Building the skills to lead transformation

Building a community of practice

Speakers and facilitators

Alison Atherton Research Director, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

Alison has a background in social sciences, chartered accountancy audit and advisory, and over a decade of experience in sustainability research and consultancy. Alison has extensive experience in project direction, planning, management and implementation, including large, complex, multi-partner projects. Her clients include all levels of government and the not-for-profit and private sectors.

Gordon Noble Research Director, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

Gordon has worked across financial systems in a variety of capacities over a thirty-year career including in frontline roles in banking, superannuation, investment management, employee relations and policy/research. He was one of the first employees of the United Nations backed Principles for Responsible Investment, founded what is now the Principles for Responsible Investment Academy and in 2020 co-authored the Australian Sustainable Finance Roadmap released by the Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative.

Prof. Chris Riedy Associate Director Learning and Development, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

Chris is a transdisciplinary action researcher with a focus on sustainability transformations. He uses sociological and political theory, narrative theory and futures thinking to design, facilitate and evaluate practical experiments in transformative change towards sustainable futures.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Sven Teske Research Director, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

Sven’s research focus is energy decarbonisation pathways for countries, regions, urban environments, and specific industry sectors towards Net-Zero by 2050. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Flensburg in Germany and led the development of the One Earth Climate Model, a world-leading tool for devising detailed carbon-reduction pathways.

Ticket inclusions

Lunch and refreshments provided, including drinks and canapes on Wednesday 13th.