Introduction to Sustainable Bonds

Introduction to Sustainable Bonds, offered by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), is an online self-study course designed to provide professionals with a practical understanding of sustainable bond markets and the frameworks that support green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked bond issuance. The course introduces the market drivers, product structures, principles, regulatory developments, and practical processes involved in sustainable bond transactions. 

Core Content

The course covers the sustainable bond market landscape, including Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, Sustainability Bond Guidelines, and Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles. Learners explore the four core pillars of green and social bonds, sustainability-linked bond structures, eligible project selection, key performance indicators (KPIs), sustainability performance targets (SPTs), external reviews, reporting practices, regulatory developments, and the roles of issuers, investors, underwriters, reviewers, regulators, and market service providers. 

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to understand sustainable bond structures, evaluate alignment with international principles, and identify the requirements for issuing and investing in sustainable debt instruments. The course builds skills in sustainable finance, green bonds, social bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, impact reporting, ESG investment practices, capital markets, regulatory frameworks, external verification, and sustainable finance strategy.

Target Learners

This course is designed for professionals involved in sustainable finance, including organisations planning to issue or invest in green, social, sustainability, or sustainability-linked bonds. It is particularly relevant for capital market professionals, investors, underwriters, lawyers, external reviewers, rating agencies, stock exchanges, policymakers, regulators, academics, researchers, and sustainability professionals seeking a foundation in sustainable bond markets. 

Learning Format

The course is delivered through an online self-study format with access available for six months from the start date. The programme includes 17 video modules, each approximately 15 minutes long, organised into five sections covering the sustainable bond market landscape, Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles, and bringing sustainable bonds to market. Learners complete concept-check questions throughout the course and must pass a final online, fully invigilated examination consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions. ICMA recommends approximately 15 learning hours for successful completion. 

Additional Benefits

The course provides internationally recognised training from ICMA, the organisation responsible for developing widely used sustainable bond market principles. Successful completion of the final exam leads to an ICMA Certificate of Completion, recognised for professional development purposes. The programme also helps participants understand the practical application of sustainable bond frameworks and the roles of different market participants involved in financing environmental and social projects. 

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