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AFCP8141 – Sustainable Finance

2026 – Term 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jacques de Haan
jacques.dehaan@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MAppFin or GradDipAppFin
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit applies Financial Markets techniques and methods to the development of sustainable capital markets with a focus on financing sustainable projects and developments.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Recognise the role of finance in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and explain the impact of sustainable finance on financing markets, market participants and financial instruments.
  • ULO2: Critically assess and evaluate the tools and techniques used for achieving sustainable development goals and the UN Global Compact into financing markets.
  • ULO3: Create solutions which integrate principles from the United Nation's Global Compact into the full lifecycle of a finance transaction.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments) 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). For example, for an assessment worth 30%, you receive a mark of 20/30 but your submission is late for 20 hours. With the late submission penalty applied, you will get a mark of18.5/30 (20-5%*30%).

After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension
Skills development and Professional practice: Oral presentation 40% No 15/03/2026 Individual No
Professional practice: Research report 30% No 22/03/2026 Individual No
Formal and observed learning: Viva voce 30% No Exam Period Individual and Group No

Skills development and Professional practice: Oral presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 15/03/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop the ability to present complex concepts to senior audiences in a clear, persuasive, and professional manner. You will engage in both individual and group presentation activities   Individual Presentation You will be assigned a mini-topic in sustainable finance, which will be pre-approved by the lecturer. You will deliver a 15-minute presentation to the class that clearly explains a complex finance issue, addresses the needs of a senior audience and present key findings and insights. You will also respond to questions from the audience following your presentation.   Group Presentations Working in groups, you will explore a real-world or adjacent case study related to a sustainable finance topic. Each group will select a specific organisation as the focus of their analysis.   You will jointly deliver two 30-minute presentations, based on concepts covered in lectures and collaborative work completed during the two weekend classes. The presentations should demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic and effectively communicate your group’s findings.   Skills in focus: - Work Readiness - Communication - Discipline Knowledge - Critical Thinking - Teamwork   Deliverables: 15-minute prepared class presentation, followed by impromptu Q&A (5-10min) & two 30 - minute group class presentations (presentation decks required) Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise the role of finance in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and explain the impact of sustainable finance on financing markets, market participants and financial instruments.
  • Critically assess and evaluate the tools and techniques used for achieving sustainable development goals and the UN Global Compact into financing markets.
  • Create solutions which integrate principles from the United Nation's Global Compact into the full lifecycle of a finance transaction.

Professional practice: Research report

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 22/03/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

The purpose of this assessment is for you to utlise market data on the latest trends and regulation around sustainable finance and demonstrate an understanding of how a company's sustainability targets can be integrated into a financial instrument.   You will review a company's sustainability strategy and associated reporting and answer specific questions based on class lectures, own research and provide insights supported by relevant research.   Skills in focus: - Work Readiness - Discipline Knowledge - Critical Thinking - Communication   Deliverable: Assignment [5,000 words, excluding any tables, appendices and bibliographies]   Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically assess and evaluate the tools and techniques used for achieving sustainable development goals and the UN Global Compact into financing markets.
  • Create solutions which integrate principles from the United Nation's Global Compact into the full lifecycle of a finance transaction.

Formal and observed learning: Viva voce

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension: No

The purpose of this assessment is for you to bring together the unit learnings and practice in an online in person viva voce.   You will present in a viva voce to the lecturer a 15 minute presentation of your insights to a topic with structured questions that is informed by accumulated knowledge, own research and provide insights supported by relevant research.   You will demonstrate accumulated knowledge and insight in a sustainable finance topic area supported by a week of preparation.   Skills in focus are: - Work Readiness - Discipline Knowledge - Critical Thinking - Communication   Deliverable: 15 minute verbal presentation to lecturer [6 to 7 power point slides, excluding any tables, appendices and bibliographies]   Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise the role of finance in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals and explain the impact of sustainable finance on financing markets, market participants and financial instruments.
  • Critically assess and evaluate the tools and techniques used for achieving sustainable development goals and the UN Global Compact into financing markets.
  • Create solutions which integrate principles from the United Nation's Global Compact into the full lifecycle of a finance transaction.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Teaching Materials and Additional Readings All teaching materials and additional readings are included in iLearn. Students should assume these readings are examinable unless otherwise advised.

Unit Web Page The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/

Important Notice: It is important that you familiarise yourself with the unit’s iLearn site. All students should check iLearn regularly and look for updates and distribution of materials related to the unit or assessments and participate in forum discussions.

Assumed access to technology: Access to a computer with word processing and spreadsheet capability is assumed, as is general student computer literacy.

Delivery Format and Other Details Delivered via Zoom. Please refer to unit iLearn page. Students will be expected to review the pre-reading ahead of each class, and demonstrate preparation through class participation.

Unit Schedule

Refer to iLearn

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
18/12/2025 Assessment dates corrected

Unit information based on version 2026.04 of the Handbook