Programme Overview

Study 5 modules over 9 months in a flexible, part-time format designed to fit around your professional commitments, while gaining hands-on experience in integrating ESG principles into financial decision-making, mastering impact investing, and aligning financial strategies with global sustainability frameworks such as EU Taxonomy, SFDR, and CSRD. 

The Leading and Implementing Sustainable Finance programme is designed for mid to senior level executives from across industry who are focused on the implementation of sustainable finance strategies and solutions. It addresses the need for skills in sustainable finance amidst regulatory developments and environmental concerns.

The programme includes four core modules and an Action Learning Project, covering topics from sustainable finance leadership to reporting and disclosure. Distinctive for its emphasis on practical implementation, the programme is delivered by a mix of academics and industry experts. Participants will develop their skills in sustainable finance decision-making, managing risks, ensuring transparency, and contributing to a sustainable future. 

Course Highlights

• Practical Implementation Focus: Bridging theory with finance, this programme equips you with the tools to implement sustainable finance strategies in real business scenarios. 
• Regulatory Relevance: Develop your knowledge with a deeper dive into the latest regulations in EU Taxonomy, SFDR, CSRD, and TCFD, ensuring compliance while leveraging regulations for strategic advantage.  
• Industry Expert-Led Insights: Engage & learn with a diverse cohort from banking, investment, corporate finance, and policy sectors, and shape the future of sustainable finance.
• Future Proof Your Career: Deepen your expertise in green finance, ESG risk analysis, impact investing, and sustainable financial innovation, preparing you for leadership roles in sustainability-focused finance.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Lead Sustainable Finance Strategies – Shape ESG-driven investments and corporate sustainability initiatives. 
• Apply Sustainable Finance Tools – Use green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, carbon markets, and impact investing to align financial and sustainability goals. 
• Navigate ESG Regulations – Stay ahead of EU and global standards, ensuring compliance, transparency, and risk mitigation. 
• Assess ESG Risks & Opportunities – Analyse sustainability risks, interpret ESG data, and drive responsible financial decisions. 
• Develop Organisational Frameworks – Integrate ESG into corporate finance, risk management, and investment portfolios. 
• Drive Change in Sustainable Finance – Lead on climate finance, ethical governance, and regulatory compliance to create meaningful impact. 

Who is this course for?

Designed for professionals in mid- to senior-level roles across the private, public, and third sectors who influence financial decision-making and sustainability strategy. If you're shaping financial policy, overseeing ESG integration, or managing sustainability-linked investments, this programme will strengthen your ability to lead change. You’ll join a dynamic cohort of peers facing similar challenges and return to your organisation with the insight and tools to drive tangible progress in sustainable finance.

Professional Advancement 

Position yourself at the forefront of sustainable finance. Build the expertise to align financial goals with sustainability imperatives and confidently lead on regulatory compliance, ESG risk analysis, and climate finance strategy. Whether advancing within your current organisation or exploring new leadership opportunities, the skills gained here open doors to high-impact roles in a rapidly evolving sector.

Admissions

The Postgraduate Certificate course is open to: 

• Graduates with a degree (or equivalent) with a strong academic record in any discipline from a recognised third-level institution
• Applicants without a degree with a proven managerial track record
• As a part-time executive programme, participants must be resident in Ireland or the EU.

All applicants are required to have a minimum of 3 years of professional or managerial work experience and should provide two references confirming their eligibility and suitability for the programme, which together with the applicant’s academic performance during their undergraduate years and their CV will be used to select the most suitable candidates. Interviews may be conducted to clarify applicants’ motivation and interest in the programme.
Language requirements for students whose first language is not English are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL IBT 90 for non-native English speakers.

Contact jane.flanagan@tcd.ie for course enquiries. 

Programme Director:

Dr. Louise Gorman

Dr. Louise Gorman, having successfully completed her PhD in corporate governance at Dublin City  University in 2016, brings a wealth of financial and academic expertise. Specialising in accounting,  finance, corporate governance, and ESG, Louise has achieved publications at ABS 3 level. In 2022,  she joined Trinity Business School as Assistant Professor in Finance. Louise actively contributes to prestigious national and international publications and events, enhancing scholarly and professional  discourse in the corporate governance and ESG professional and academic communities.

Lecturers:

Alan Duffy

Alan has over 10 years of investment experience at tier 1 institutions. Prior to joining ILIM, he worked in the proprietary trading group of Credit Suisse AG, where he was Portfolio Manager responsible for arbitrage strategies. Alan has an MSc in Finance from Warwick Business School, and a BSc in Economics & Finance from University College Dublin. Alan holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Kevin McConnell

Kevin leads out on the Implementing Sustainable Finance module with deep insights from a career spanning 20 years in the investment and banking industry. His expertise spans market behaviour analysis to the impact on investments, particularly in sustainable finance, where he explores current trends, ESG investments, and regulatory evolutions with participants. Kevin has significantly contributed to the asset management industry, working with international investment groups, especially in private equity.

Sean MacHale

Sean will delve into the requirements and best practices in reporting and disclosure. Sean’s professional background is in investment banking, and in his last role he was the Head of Sustainability strategy and Group Climate lead for a leading Irish financial institution. Sean has extensive experience in capital markets, risk evaluation and delivering transformational business change programmes for clients within financial services.

Ben Lynch

Ben together with Louise, will guide participants through the Action Learning Project. Benjamin completed a PhD in Sustainable Finance from Trinity Business School in 2022. His overarching research interests relates to investigating the incentives for investors and firms to alter the sustainability of their practices. His research portfolio encompasses a diverse range of topics within sustainable finance including the value and risk implications of varying levels of ESG (Environmental,  Social, and Governance) performance, Carbon markets, and the importance of materiality in ESG integration investment strategies.

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