ESG & Sustainable Finance Leadership

At a glance

The Professional Diploma in ESG and Sustainable Finance Leadership is designed to equip financial services professionals and aspiring leaders with the theory and practice underpinning ESG and Sustainable Finance Leadership and the capability to design, develop, implement an appropriate ESG business strategy.



The programme will consider ESG strategy, its aims, formulation, and successful implementation. Attention will also be given to sustainable leadership, the roles and responsibilities of such leaders and the principles and practices underpinning it. The programme will also consider the evolution of risk management to include the sustainability risk space focusing on a range of approaches to measures and manage so-called non-financial risk (such as extreme climate change-induced catastrophes, data fraud and theft, and social ills) that can pose significant micro-and macroeconomic threats.



Award

When you successfully complete this programme, you will be awarded a Professional Diploma in ESG and Sustainable Finance Leadership in Financial Services from UCD. This is a level 9 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications.

ESG Strategy

(Level 9, 10 ECTS)

• ESG Fundamentals Planetary boundaries

• Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies

• Stakeholder v shareholder model

• International best practice

• Developing an ESG Strategy



Sustainable Finance Leadership

(Level 9, 10 ECTS)

• What is Sustainable Finance?

• The role of the Financial Services Sector

• Developing Sustainable Finance Products

• Customer and Client Leadership



ESG Risk Management and Data for Leaders

(Level 9, 10 ECTS)

• The EU Taxonomy

• Risk Management

• Data considerations for financial services

• Transformation Roadmaps

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements to the Professional Diploma in ESG and Sustainable Finance Leadership are as follows:

• An Honours degree (min. 2.2 L8 NFQ)

or

• Admission may also be considered for experienced professionals who do not meet the admission requirements as set out above, where they can demonstrate knowledge through their work i.e. they have more than 5 years’ experience in a management role (to be considered on a case-by-case basis).

________________________________________

Professional Body Membership

You must be a current member of IOB, or become a member, to undertake this programme, (membership year - January to December).

3 Semesters

Delivery is online

Next intake: Autumn Trimester 2025-2026 academic year - (Assessment in January 2026)

Progression

This award is on the Pathway to MSc in Financial Services. Those wishing to continue their studies and achieve the MSc will receive the higher award only.