Harvard: Sustainable Investing

The Sustainable Investing course, offered by Harvard Business School Online, is a comprehensive six-week online program designed to equip investment professionals and those in related fields with the insights, frameworks, and skills to evaluate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, measure impact investments, and integrate sustainability into financial decision-making. Led by leading faculty, the course explores the evolving landscape of sustainable investing, including public equities, private markets, climate risk, and long-term theories of change, emphasizing practical applications through case studies from organizations like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and the Ford Foundation. Participants commit to 30 hours of material, with a tuition fee of $1,850, and upcoming cohorts starting in May and August 2025.

Core Content

The curriculum is structured into six modules that progressively build expertise in sustainable investing. It begins with an overview of the field, introducing ESG integration in business models and the returns-impact continuum. Subsequent modules cover sustainable investing in public equities, including divestment strategies, engagement, proxy voting, and alpha generation through ESG funds. The program then examines venture capital, private equity, and sustainable debt instruments like green bonds, followed by techniques for measuring and managing impact, such as developing strategies and calculating impact multiples. Later modules address integrating climate risk into asset allocation and financing solutions for climate innovation, concluding with long-run theories like pay-for-success models and the evolution of capitalism. Real-world cases and exercises reinforce concepts, focusing on challenges like impact washing and scaling sustainable solutions.

Key Skills

Learners develop the ability to incorporate ESG factors into investment decisions, apply frameworks for measuring and monitoring opportunities, and analyze climate risks within financial models. The course builds competencies in evaluating ESG performance, matching strategies to use cases, calculating impact metrics like risk-adjusted totals, and assessing funds or managers for alignment with sustainable goals. Graduates gain practical skills in breaking down impact logic chains, articulating divestment theories, and prioritizing implementation takeaways, enabling them to drive value while avoiding pitfalls in sustainable finance.

Target Learners

This program is tailored for investment professionals, financial analysts, advisors, and those in related fields like asset management or consulting who seek to evaluate ESG factors and manage impact investments. It suits beginners with basic finance knowledge as well as experienced individuals aiming to advance in sustainable finance, including those interested in roles at firms focused on responsible investing or climate solutions, without strict prerequisites beyond introductory finance familiarity.

Learning Format

Delivered entirely online with a six-week structure, the course requires 5-6 hours weekly and features self-paced modules with interactive activities every 3-5 minutes, including videos, quizzes, reflections, and peer discussions. It uses Harvard's case-based method with real-world examples, weekly deadlines for social learning, and access to materials for 60 days post-completion. Participants can audit for free or pay for a certificate, earning a Certificate of Completion downloadable as a PDF, with options for CFA Institute self-reported credits.

Additional Benefits

Completing the course provides a prestigious certificate from Harvard Business School Online, enhancing professional profiles and eligibility for a Certificate of Specialization in Finance & Accounting or Business in Society upon finishing related tracks. Graduates join a global alumni community for networking and events, gaining lifelong access to module summaries and insights from industry experts, supporting career advancement in sustainable investing amid growing demand for ESG expertise.

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