Advanced Certificate of Sustainability

Synopsis:

The past decade has seen climate change, deforestation, and consumption bringing detrimental environmental, socioeconomic, and infrastructural changes in all parts of the world. Thus, there is an urgent need for both public and private sectors to integrate sustainability as an essential part of how businesses and institutions operate to ensure the needs of future generations are met.
This introductory module on sustainability informs participants of the basics of climate change and its impact, as well as sustainability issues and global initiatives. It also offers a preview of sustainability-related risks and outlines how sustainable development has progressed globally and in Hong Kong.

Learning objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:

• Be able to give an overview of the evolution and definition of the concept of sustainability, ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) issues and the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
• Differentiate between sustainability, ESG, and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
• Understand global warming and biodiversity loss and the impact they have on ecosystems, economy, and society
• Be able to explain what greenhouse gas is and the associated key metrics on its emissions, as well as concepts of carbon management and net zero transition
• Understand sustainability-related risks and coping mechanisms, including physical and transitional risks
• Understand the basic cooperative frameworks underpinning sustainable development such as IPCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, UNFCC, and Ocean 20
• Understand the meaning and breakdown of the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)
• Obtain an up-to-date overview of sustainable development globally and in Hong Kong

Synopsis:

Sustainability is imperative to ensuring the survival and well-being of humankind, now and in the future. To succeed in our sustainability transition requires changes to the core systems of our society to protect biodiversity and our Earth’s finite natural resources.

This course offers a panoramic overview of resource consumption and introduces participants to planetary boundaries, current resourcing challenges, and how climate change, biodiversity loss and humanity have affected natural resources. It also equips participants with an in-depth understanding of environmental impact assessments and potential solutions to overcome resourcing challenges.

Learning objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:

• Understand the current situation of resource consumption and grasp the concepts of planetary boundaries and Doughnut Economics
• Gain a thorough understanding of global biodiversity resources and their impact on agriculture
• Be able to explain the knock-on effects that climate change, biodiversity loss, and humanity have on natural resources
• Be able to describe current resourcing challenges and its socio-economic impacts
• Explore potential solutions to resourcing issues, such as climate-smart agriculture and natural resource management
• Have the ability to conduct environmental impact assessments

Synopsis:

This course will provide a systematic understanding of China’s environmental and climate policies. It will first examine China’s major environmental and climate issues, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, water shortage and pollution, soil pollution, waste management, desertification & deforestation, climate change, energy transition and carbon neutrality. The organization of China’s environmental and climate governance will then be explored. Environmental/climate goals, policy making and implementation will be investigated to understand their roles, challenges and solutions in China’s specific context. Major policy instruments will also be introduced to tackle those environmental and climate issues in reality.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:

• Comprehensively understand China’s major environmental and climate issues, their past trajectories, current statuses and potential future scenarios;
• Recognize China’s organization of environmental and climate governance, the relationship between the central and local governments, and the functions of environmental authorities;
• Discern the roles of goals and policies in China, policy making and implementation, their challenges and solutions;
• Systematically investigate major environmental and climate policy instruments in domestic practice and international treaties, their effectiveness and efficiency.

Synopsis:

In recent years, a number of organisations have fallen victim to supply-chain vulnerabilities and disruptions, and businesses are increasingly acknowledging the need for a more sustainable supply chain for risk mitigation. As the world slowly begins its transformation into a carbon-resilient world, it is clear that our current linear economy must also transition into a circular economy to reduce environmental pressure and become more resilient.

This course focuses on two main areas: 1) the importance of sustainable supply chains in managing risks and achieving decarbonization, and 2) adopting a circular economy mindset to improve resource efficiency. Participants will also be equipped with practical knowledge in supplier management, monitoring, and evaluation.

Learning objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:

• Obtain knowledge of supply chain carbon footprints in key industries
• Learn to assess and manage sustainability-related risks in supply chains
• Understand the importance of supply chain transparency
• Develop an understanding of how to operate a sustainable supply chain through supplier management
• Gain an understanding of what a circular economy is and its importance
• Understand the relevant frameworks for a circular economy
• Learn how to integrate supply chain sustainability and circular economy concepts into business strategies

Synopsis:

Given an increase in investors’ appetite in responsible investments, sustainable finance has seen
exponential growth in popularity in the past decade. Organisations are facing the challenge of having to maintain short-term profitability while simultaneously building a more sustainable future.

This module provides participants with an overview of sustainable finance. Participants will learn how to integrate ESG into their investments, the spectrum of sustainable finance products, and investment
frameworks.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:

• Understand the current situation of resource consumption and grasp the concepts of planetary boundaries and Doughnut Economics
• Gain a thorough understanding of global biodiversity resources and their impact on agriculture
• Be able to explain the knock-on effects that climate change, biodiversity loss, and humanity have on natural resources
• Be able to describe current resourcing challenges and its socio-economic impacts
• Explore potential solutions to resourcing issues, such as climate-smart agriculture and natural resource management
• Have the ability to conduct environmental impact assessments

Synopsis:

In recent years, to deal with pressure from investors, regulators and other stakeholders on the ESG issues. there has been a movement towards the “standardization” of ESG reporting standards for enhanced transparency. In this course, participants will learn about the basics of ESG reporting, including the key ESG metrics and reporting frameworks, as well as the regulatory landscape surrounding ESG reporting.

Meanwhile, there is also a global trend of ESG investing that has led to the demand for ESG ratings. Investors rely on these rating providers for scores that can help them assess and compare company performance. This module will also cover the basics of ESG rating, the importance of ESG in today’s business landscape, and how ESG can be used to inform investment decisions.

Learning objectives:
At the end of the module, participants will:

• Obtain knowledge of supply chain carbon footprints in key industries
• Learn to assess and manage sustainability-related risks in supply chains
• Understand the importance of supply chain transparency
• Develop an understanding of how to operate a sustainable supply chain through supplier management
• Gain an understanding of what a circular economy is and its importance
• Understand the relevant frameworks for a circular economy
• Learn how to integrate supply chain sustainability and circular economy concepts into business strategies