Sustainable Finance Foundations: Banking, Investment and Insurance

The financial sector is facing increasing pressure to respond to global sustainability challenges, from regulatory shifts and climate risk to evolving client and investor expectations. As businesses seek to adapt, financial institutions must develop the expertise within their teams to assess risks, identify opportunities, and align strategies with long-term sustainability goals.

This course provides professionals with a clear understanding of how sustainability is reshaping financial decision-making and the knowledge to drive sustainable finance initiatives within their workplace. It explores the financial landscape in relation to sustainability and the threats faced by the sector if a response is not mounted, key market drivers that are influencing the existing state of play and the extent and urgency of the change needed. It analyses the risks and commercial opportunities present from the shift to sustainable finance as well as examples of success stories and what efficient, responsible and resilient finance looks like. Learners benefit from the focus on practical approaches the course takes for integrating sustainability into financial products, services, and corporate strategy.

With insights from industry experts and real-world case studies, this course provides finance professionals with the tools to build resilience, drive innovation, and create long-term value in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

This course equals 8 hours of the CPD Certification Service(Opens in a new window) time.

This course is structured around six key modules that provide a comprehensive foundation in sustainable finance, equipping professionals with the insights and strategies needed to navigate the changing financial landscape and drive meaningful change:

• Global pressures & trends. Examine the major social and environmental challenges shaping financial markets and the urgency for businesses and governments to respond.

• Commercial implications. Explore how sustainability trends directly impact economies, businesses, and households, influencing long-term financial stability and profitability.

• Business leadership. Understand the evolving role of businesses and financial institutions in sustainability, including value chain dependencies and key industry debates.

• Good practice principles. Learn what responsible banking, investment, and insurance look like through CISL’s Rewiring the Economy framework.

• Sustainable finance in practice. Analyse real-world examples of how financial institutions are driving—or hindering—progress on sustainability issues.

• Taking action. Move from theory to impact by developing a high-level action plan to integrate sustainability into financial decision-making.

Sustainable Finance Foundations provides practical, actionable knowledge that enables professionals to lead their organisations in aligning financial strategies with global sustainability goals. Through six modules delivered by experts from industry and academia, you will:

• gain a deep understanding of global sustainability pressures, their commercial implications, and why business as usual is no longer viable

• explore the evolving role of financial institutions in society, evaluating leading practices within banking, investment, and insurance

• assess how financial institutions can actively support the transition to a more sustainable economy, examining real-world actions and opportunities for integration

• develop a personalized action plan to apply these insights, ensuring you can drive meaningful change within your organization or sphere of influence.

This course is designed for finance professionals across all sectors - banking, investment, insurance, and beyond - looking to understand the risks and opportunities of the global sustainability transition. It’s ideal for individuals who want to enhance their knowledge and drive sustainable practices within their organisation and for businesses looking to upskill their finance teams as a whole. Whether you’re a decision-maker or part of a team aiming to integrate sustainability into your financial strategies, this course provides the foundational insights needed to take action. It’s suitable for finance professionals at all levels, with no prior specialised prior-knowledge required.

This course offers a flexible and engaging learning experience, allowing you to complete 6-8 hours of content at your own pace over a 12-month period. You’ll progress through a series of modules featuring a mix of videos, case studies, interactive graphics, and self-assessments designed to make learning both practical and immersive. With a focus on multi-format content, the course ensures that each concept is reinforced in ways that suit different learning styles.

As you navigate the course, you’ll engage with real-world examples of sustainable finance practices, helping you connect theory to practice. Regular quizzes and assessments provide ongoing opportunities to test your understanding, while supplementary reading and optional content deepen your knowledge.

At the end of the course, you’ll develop a personal action plan, equipping you with concrete steps to integrate sustainable finance strategies into your role within your organisation. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a digital badge from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, marking your achievement.

Course licences are valid for 12 months giving you and your team the flexibility to revisit the content as needed even after earning your badge. For organisations, the admin portal allows you to distribute licences easily and to track your team’s progress and gain aggregated feedback, supporting future learning strategies.

This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable for CPD points, with individuals responsible for claiming or validating their own hours.

This course is open to professionals across all industries and organisations, regardless of size or sector. No prior knowledge of sustainability is required—just a commitment to learning and a drive to create meaningful change.

Whether you are beginning your sustainability journey or looking to stay updated on the latest sustainable finance practices, this course provides the foundational knowledge needed to integrate sustainability into your work and drive impact within and beyond your organisation.