Students

AFCP8141 – Sustainable Finance

2026 – Term 3, 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 Submission Penalties  (written assessments) 

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.  

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details:  https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Professional practice: Oral presentation 40% No 30/08/2026 Individual No Open
Professional practice: Research report 30% No 02/09/2026 Group No Open
Professional practice: Viva voce 30% No 02/09/2026 Individual No Observed

Professional practice: Oral presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 30/08/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

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 be assigned a mini topic in sustainable finance, or you may select an appropriate topic that requires pre-approval from 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 presents key findings and insights. You will also respond to questions from the audience following your presentation.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Work readiness
  • Communication and collaboration
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
Deliverable(s): 15-minute prepared class presentation, followed by impromptu Q&A. Presentation decks required.
 
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.

Professional practice: Research report

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 02/09/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

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, your own research, and provide insights supported by relevant research.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Work readiness
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
Deliverable(s): Assignment [5000 words], excluding any tables, appendices and bibliographies
 
Group 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.

Professional practice: Viva voce

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 02/09/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for you to bring together the unit's learning and practice in an online or in-person viva voce.

You will present a 15-minute viva voce to the lecturer on a topic, with structured questions, informed by accumulated knowledge and your 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:
  • Work readiness
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
Deliverable(s): 15-minute verbal presentation to lecturer [6 to 7 PowerPoint slides], excluding any tables, appendices, and bibliographies. Your slide deck (with supporting evidence) should be uploaded to iLearn 24 hours before the presentation date.
 
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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

The unit is delivered virtually via Zoom and runs from Monday 6 July 2026 to Wednesday 9 September 2026 and includes:

·       2x 90-minute lectures

·       2x weekend intensive blocks

·       1x revision session

Unit Schedule

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in Sustainable Finance, addressing both theoretical frameworks and practical applications within the Australian and global contexts. The curriculum is structured to progress from foundational concepts through to advanced implementation, encompassing use-of-proceeds financing, performance-driven instruments, regulatory frameworks, carbon markets, and legal documentation.

As financial markets increasingly integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into investment and lending decisions, professionals require sophisticated skills to navigate this evolving landscape. This course equips students with the technical knowledge, analytical capabilities, and strategic mindset necessary to structure, evaluate, and implement sustainable finance transactions across various asset classes and sectors.

Class Schedule

Monday 6 July
 - Lecture 1 - The Context for Sustainable Finance: Climate, Development, and the Real Economy

Saturday 11 July
 - Lecture 2 - Sustainable Finance as a Core Market Discipline & 
Group work - Sustainable Finance case study presentation 

Sunday 12 July
 - Group work - Sustainable Finance case study presentation

Monday 13 July
 - No class following Weekend Block 1

Monday 20 July
 - Lecture 3 - The Sustainable Finance Market: Participants, Products, and Decision Points

Monday 27 July
 - Lecture 4 - Use-of-Proceeds Finance: Green, Social, and Sustainability Loans and Bonds

Monday 3 August
 - Lecture 5 - Sustainability-Linked Finance: KPIs, Targets, and Incentives

Monday 10 August - 
Lecture 6 - Standards, Verification, and Market Credibility

Monday 17 August
 - Lecture 7 - Legal Documentation and Transaction Execution

Monday 24 August
 - Lecture 8 - Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy and Transition Finance

Saturday 29 August
 - Lecture 9 - Mandatory Climate Reporting, Greenwashing, and Access to Capital
 & Group work - Sustainable Finance case study presentation

Sunday 30 August
 - Group work - Sustainable Finance case study presentation

Monday 31 August
 - Revision Session - Key Themes in Sustainable Finance: From Context to Market Practice

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 https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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.

Unit information based on version 2026.07 of the Handbook