Certificate in Green and Sustainable Finance

The Certificate in Green and Sustainable Finance (GSF) is Deloitte’s flagship capability building programme providing a deep dive into green and sustainable finance for banking professionals and participants working or aspiring to work in the broader finance, investment and insurance sector.

The programme equips participants with essential knowledge of the principles and concepts of sustainable finance, an advanced understanding of the latest developments in the field, and an in-depth exploration of the tools, products and risk management needed for advanced knowledge and specialization in climate and sustainability risk management.

The course focuses on the demands facing future sustainable finance leaders and delivers a unique in-person experience that equips participants with the knowledge, resources and networks required to undertake pivotal future work that will drive green finance and sustainable investment forward.

Our green commitment in Hong Kong

Deloitte is a leading provider of sustainability services with unparalleled access to internal resources and external leaders in the field. We follow the latest regulatory and standard setting trends closely and provide leading insights on green and sustainability topics.

Deloitte is committed to near-term (2030) greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as 1.5°C-aligned, science-based targets, and has set long-term emissions reduction targets based on the SBTi’s Net-Zero Standard. We are working toward achieving their goals, recognizing the increasing urgency of the climate crisis.

Hong Kong has the vision to become a premier centre for green and sustainable finance that serves the green transformation in mainland China, Asia, and the world.

The global market is seeking solutions to sustainability and climate challenges. Green and sustainable finance professionals are playing a critical role in driving an equitable transition to a more livable world. Professionals in all parts of the finance sector need to expand their knowledge of green and sustainable finance to meet this shared challenge.

Have embraced the green transformation, we take this one step further by sharing our expertise and offering Deloitte’s flagship green and sustainable finance capability building programme in Hong Kong.

Our Programme Partners

Our programme consists of a two-level course serving participants' different career stages, backgrounds and needs:

Core Professional

✓ Equips participants with GSF knowledge and skills they need to initiate and grow a career as a GSF professional from a minimal starting point to achieving a broad understanding of the GSF landscape.

✓ Offers finance sector professionals a refresher GSF course with an up-to-date syllabus bringing participants the latest initiatives and best practices.

Advanced Professional

✓ Gives our core professionals a deeper understanding of GSF to build focused skills and enable participants to handle the more complex practical aspects of GSF work alongside GSF capability-building.

Participants will engage critically with systems and theories in sustainable finance and investment including: green and sustainable financial products; reporting and disclosures for financial institutions and the changing regulatory and policy landscape in our region; green standards and taxonomies and net-zero strategies for banks; climate and sustainability risk management and financed emissions accounting. These topics will be covered at the core professional and advanced professional levels with various levels of detail.

Note: Coached self-study helps participants engage further with the course topics through pre-readings and additional case studies, offering the opportunity to engage directly with subject matter experts on the reading materials and raise questions or comments. Coached self-study does not contribute directly to any attendance or passing requirement but can deepen understanding of the issues covered in the course.

As a participant you will:

• Develop a broad understanding of the ESG, sustainability and climate change issues of critical importance to the financial sector
• Gain theoretical and foundational knowledge and practical tools to build your green finance career
• Understand the current green and sustainable finance landscape from a local, regional and global perspective
• Increase knowledge of what is driving mounting demand for green and sustainable finance products and instruments
• Identify carbon market compliance, pricing mechanisms, and policy considerations
• Understand the business case for climate action
• Recognize and apply appropriate green and sustainable finance policies, principles and standards to daily banking operations
• Understand approaches to creating and managing portfolios with credible ESG credentials
• Manage GSF related activities that influence investment decisions
• Identify sustainability risks and formulate effective mitigation and risk management strategies.

Programme Outline

Core Professional Level
Course Code: [CGSF-CP005/006/007]

Core Professional Module 1 - Introduction to Sustainability and GSF

Through Module 1, participants will understand the fundamental drivers of green and sustainable finance and the range of solutions and responses from the sector. We will define and summarize fundamental sustainability concepts, such as ESG and climate change, and explore the latest trends and developments in sustainability action for the financial services industry (FSI) sector.

• Climate change and ESG issues that are driving the growth of green & sustainable finance.
  

• Key initiatives, standards, metrics and policy frameworks related to climate and sustainability from international to local level.
• The impact of sustainability developments on the banking and finance sectors and implications for business practices that reduce risks and embrace opportunities.

Core Professional Module 2 - Sustainability in the FSI Sector

Module 2 introduces participants to the latest GSF developments in different markets – China, APAC, and other regions – to identify key strategies and challenges and regulatory developments in ESG disclosures and reporting requirements. Module 2 also discusses and covers the probability and impact of a range of sustainability risks (including climate-related risks) and how the financial sector identifies, manages, and discloses those risks.

• GSF impact on the banking sector and the broader financial sector.
• Understand the GSF landscape, and methods available to incorporate GSF strategies into daily banking businesses.

• Identify the common methodologies and standards used to disclose and report ESG performance such as materiality assessment, stakeholder engagement and data availability, quality and analysis.

• Physical and transition climate-related risks and other sustainability risks related to environmental, social and governance issues.
• Impact of climate risk on the banking sector, and ways banks can identify, measure and manage climate risks in the banking industry.

• Fundamentals of climate stress testing and scenario analysis for finance sector companies. Skillsets for climate scenario analysis for banking practitioners.

Core Professional Module 3 – Green & Sustainable Finance Applications and Use-Cases

Module 3 provides an understanding of the fundamentals and applications of GSF products and instruments, sustainable investing, and opportunities and challenges in carbon markets.

• Introduction to GSF products, markets and latest industry trends. Topics may include growth of GSF markets, history of GSF developments, the Common Ground Taxonomy etc.

• GSF products and instruments: debt-based instruments such as green, social and sustainable bonds and loans, sustainability-linked finance, transition bonds and loans as well as equity-based instruments such as ESG ETFs and others.
  

• Sustainable investment concepts, approaches and applications. Screening, ESG integration, thematic investing, impact investing, engagement and stewardship.

• International and regional carbon markets. The development of voluntary and mandatory carbon markets including emissions trading systems.
  

Advanced Professional Level
Course Code: [CGSF-AP005/006/007]

Advanced Professional Module 1: Developing Sustainability Strategies for Banks

Module 1 explores how banks can build comprehensive, robust sustainability strategies. Participants will gain profound knowledge not only of different instruments and investment processes but also topics like Green Fintech and co-operation between sustainable finance stakeholders.

• The concept of a comprehensive sustainability strategy and policy for banks: governance, targets, risk, workforce, communication, products, and public policy engagement.
• How a bank can build a holistic and robust sustainability strategy – discussing the step-by-step approach
   

• Deep-dive into topics such as Sustainable Funds, Green Funds, and other GSF Equity Products, brought to live with Group Case Studies Deep-dive into topics such as Portfolio Construction and Management as well as Investment Analysis and Decision-making Process, highlighting the overall key success factors along the journey 
  
• Introduction to Green Fintech solutions
• Importance of co-operation between sustainable finance players (multinational development banks, public private and blended finance, foundations, private equity)

Advanced Professional Module 2: Importance of Nature: Mobilising Capital for Nature-based Solutions & Blue Finance

Module 2 broadens the horizon to the latest developments in financing nature-based solutions. This module discusses the latest developments, key drivers, challenges and success factors – bringing these to life with industry case studies.

• Mobilizing finance for biodiversity and ecosystem protection
• Blue finance

Advanced Professional Module 3: Carbon Accounting & Risk Management Deep-dive

Module 3 provides in-depth analysis of carbon accounting and risk management, two key knowledge sets for GSF professionals. This module is hands-on with case studies on carbon accounting, including portfolio emissions (financed emissions, weighted average carbon intensity [WACI], Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials [PCAF]), and risk management including Just Transition and Climate Risk Governance.

• Deep-dive on carbon accounting including WACI & PCAF, financed emissions

• Just transition. Co-benefits vs. tradeoffs, climate justice
• Core governance issues and governing environmental and social risks
  

Prof. Stan Ho is the Academic Dean in Institute of Sustainability and Technology, the Adjunct Professor of the Faculty of Business and Economics in University of Hong Kong, the Adjunct Professor (EMBA) in City University of Hong Kong, the Adjunct Professor (School of Business) in Hong Kong Baptist University and the Professor of Practice (MIBF) in Lingnan University.

Stan is an experienced investment banking and credit rating expert, with equity capital market, corporate finance and credit rating experience in Credit Suisse, Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns, Fitch Ratings and Lianhe Ratings Global. Stan has been actively participating in the green finance area for over six years. Currently, he is the Green Finance Certification Scheme Technical Committee Member of Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA).

Dr. Meiyu Guo is an Assistant Professor in the Geography Department at Hong Kong Baptist University, as well as a research fellow at the Asia Energy Study Centre and member of the Smart Society Lab. She holds an M.Econ degree in Environmental Economics from Renmin University (2012) and a Ph.D. in Geography from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2015).

Dr. Guo's research focuses on the environmental impacts of unconventional energy development, with a specific emphasis on shale gas. She has conducted extensive empirical research on shale gas production in the United States and China, including her time as a visiting research fellow at Harvard (2014-2015). As the Principal Investigator (PI) of the National Nature Science Foundation projects and the General Research Fund projects, Dr. Guo leads significant research initiatives in environmental economics, geographical analysis, social implications of energy development, and carbon market fields.

Dr. Aries Wong is a senior lecturer in the Department of Accountancy, Economics, and Finance at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). He also holds the position of associate director at the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies of HKBU. Aries obtained his PhD in Economics from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and has a diverse professional background. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, Certified Public Accountant, and holds an MSc degree in risk management science. Prior to joining academia, Aries worked in the risk management function of various banking and financial institutions.

Aries published his research in international journals such as Oxford Economic Papers, Pacific Economic Review, and Pacific-basin Finance Journal. Alongside his academic pursuits, he also has a keen interest in knowledge transfer. In the area of sustainable development, Aries has conducted training sessions and seminars on sustainable development and green finance for organizations such as the Civil Service College and Education Bureau.

Jean-Marc is a Principal and Managing Director for Seneca Impact Advisors, a firm which focuses on developing innovative financial solutions for scalable nature-based projects.

Prior to establishing Seneca, Jean-Marc spent 7 years at WWF as the head of Bankable Nature Solutions for the Asia-Pacific region and Environmental Finance. In his role, he incubated and developed scalable bankable projects with positive environmental and social impact. This included overseeing project work in the region for the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development and leading finance and bankable projects for WWF's global Freshwater Practice. He also co-established the Climate Impact Asia Fund and sits on its investment advisory committee. He is an External Advisor for Green Finance to the Bank for International Settlements' Innovation Hub. He is also advising WWF on structuring and developing the Global Islamic Finance Program for Climate, Nature, and Development.

Prior to WWF, he spent 17 years in the financial industry advising institutional investors on equities and equity derivatives. He started his investment banking career in 1997 with Merrill Lynch in New York and has been based in Hong Kong since 2004, working for BNP Paribas and Jefferies. He graduated from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.

Mr. Herbert Yung has over 15 years of experience in sustainability. As Director of Standard Chartered's global ESG Advisory team, he leads the practice in Asia, facilitating clients in transforming and refining their ESG practices via a wide range of services, which encompass transition and decarbonization strategy, ESG governance, disclosures and ratings.

Prior to Standard Chartered, Herbert was the Sustainability Lead at the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA), where he supported the profession in building ESG capacity and developing thought leaderships. He was also in charge of establishing the Institute's net-zero roadmap and related initiatives.

Moreover, Herbert is a Deloitte alumni who served the firm for 12 years. As Director of its Risk Advisory practice, Herbert led major projects pertaining to ESG, risk management, and internal audit across sectors.

Ms. Eva Hong is the Country Lead for Standard Chartered’s Sustainable Finance Hong Kong team, covering clients from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. Eva leads the team to originate, structure and execute Sustainable Finance transactions across a wide spectrum of products, incl. loans, bonds, trades, derivatives, carbon solutions and have successfully closed Sustainable Finance transactions in various industries, such as real estate, shipping, manufacturing, industrial, energy, financial institutions and public entities.

Eva has 15+ years of experience across Sustainable Finance, Project Finance, Structured Finance and Corporate Finance with deep industry knowledge of broader Energy & Infrastructure sector. Before joining Standard Chartered, Eva worked as a banker leading some of the largest Energy&Infra projects in APAC region as well as a financial advisor to quite a few landmark Belt & Road transactions.

Please note that our speakers will be rotating throughout the programme, ensuring that each cohort receives the same valuable content and expertise from a selection of sustainability specialists and industry professionals.

Award

Certificate of Achievement

Upon successful completion* of our programme, you will be awarded the Certificate in Green and Sustainable Finance - Core Professional/Advanced Professional (referred to as a "Certificate of Achievement") according to the level of courses pursued.
*refer to Completion Requirement section

Each participant who has successfully completed the Core Professional and Advanced Professional levels will be recognised by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as an accredited Green & Sustainable Finance (GSF) professional. We maintain a list of participants who have obtained the Certificate of Achievement, and support credential verification with participants' authorisation.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes

Members of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) who successfully complete^* our programmes are eligible for 25 CPD hours. For members of other professional bodies, please refer to your professional bodies' eligibility requirements for CPD credit.
^*refer to the Completion Requirement section

Programme fees, Timetable and Venue

Programme fees

* Full-time student refers to a student studying a full-time course offered by a recognised educational institution as of the date of application.

** Members from the Deloitte Alumni Network and Deloitte INED Club enjoy an exclusively HK$2,000 discount by providing their registered email address in the application form if they join the bundle courses.

***Reimbursement amount is dependent on the actual amount incurred by the programme participant and the applicable percentage of reimbursement based on that participant’s applicant category.

^ Need help with the schedule? Please get in touch with us at enquiry.gsf@deloitte.com.hk for assistance. Application will be closed seven days before programme start date. Grab your chance!
 

Reimbursement

Eligible applicants can apply for reimbursement of fees upon successful completion of Eligible Programmes, subject to a ceiling of HK$10,000 (conditions apply). Refer to the scheme website for details.

This programme is one of the Eligible Programmes under the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme, (https://greentalent.org.hk/).

The Scheme provides training subsidies to Hong Kong residents who are market practitioners and prospective practitioners of green and sustainable finance, namely students and graduates in relevant disciplines. After completing Eligible Programmes, applicants can apply for a subsidy of up to 80% of the relevant fees (full-time student applicants can apply for a subsidy of up to 100% of the relevant fees), subject to a ceiling of HK$10,000.

The reimbursement application should be submitted via the application portal of the Scheme (https://www.greentalent.org.hk/auth/login) within 3 months from the date of completion of the Eligible Programme.

*The Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme only accepts reimbursement applications in relation to an Eligible Programme with an enrolment date that is on or after the effective date of such Programme.

Timetable and venue

*Deloitte One Pacific Place office is conveniently situated within a 5-minute walking distance from Admiralty MTR station, providing sheltered access.

As part of our online learning approach, we offer live instructor-led sessions conducted through Zoom. Prior to the start of each lesson, we will send the Zoom link to your registered email address for seamless access and participation.

Climate Fresk Workshop

Supported By

What is Climate Fresk?
In just 2.5 hours, the collaborative Climate Fresk workshop will teach you the fundamental science behind climate change and empower you to take action.

Can't wait to become a climate scientist?

Every applicant successfully enrolled in the Core Professional level of our programmes will join this workshop at the beginning of their GSF learning journey.

Grab a chance to meet our practitioners and your fellows!

Course highlight

Entry requirements

Our programme will be delivered mainly in English, supplemented occasionally with Cantonese or Mandarin. Learning materials are in English. We encourage participants to attain a level of English proficiency equivalent to the following qualifications:

1. an overall band of 6.0 or above with no subtests lower than 5.5 in IELTS; or
2. a score of 550 or above in the paper-based TOEFL, a score of 213 or above in the computer-based TOEFL, or a core of 80 or above in the internet-based TOEFL; or
3. HKDSE Examination English Language Level 3 or above; or
4. HKALE Use of English at Grade E or above.

Core Professional
There is no entry requirement for this course.

Advanced Professional
We offer special arrangements for experienced senior GSF practitioners who want to participate solely in the advanced course on GSF and learn about market updates. Please email enquiry.gsf@deloitte.com.hk separately for more details.

Completion requirements

• Attendance rate of more than 80% and
  
• Pass the assessments with a score of 60 or above
  
  • Assessment components –
    • Two in-class assessments (100%)
      Format: Multiple-choice and short-answer-based
      Time: 15 minutes at the end of a lecture

• Attendance rate of more than 75%; and
  
• Pass the assessments with a score of 60 or above
  
  • Assessment components –
    • Two in-class assessments (30%)
      Format: Multiple-choice and short-answer-based
      Time: 15 minutes at the end of a lecture
    • Final assessment (70%)
      Format: Short and long-answer-based reflection questions (open book)
      Time: 90 minutes

Contact Us

If you have any further questions related to the programme, please kindly reach out to us via phone at +852 28521699 (09:30-12:00, 14:00-17:30, Monday to Friday, except public holidays) or through email at enquiry.gsf@deloitte.com.hk.