Singapore Green Finance Centre Launches Sustainable Finance Program
The Singapore Green Finance Centre (SGFC), which is a joint project of Singapore Management University (SMU) and Imperial College London, will offer the first of a series of courses to help finance industry professionals learn more about sustainability and sustainable finance.
This series of courses will draw on the Sustainable Finance Technical Skills and Competencies (SF TSCs) developed by the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
As part of the Skills Framework for Financial Services, the 12 SF TSCs will give professionals the chance to change their skills, learn new ones, and move into more sustainable roles. By filling this skills gap, financial institutions (FIs) will be able to improve their sustainability-related offers and services.
All SGFC courses will be approved by the IBF and given at different times, so working adults can learn at their own pace and when it's most convenient for them. Course subsidies are available for self-sponsored individuals and FI/FinTech Firm-sponsored individuals through the IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS).
Director of SMU’s Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics; Co-Director of the SGFC; Professor of Finance (Practice), Dave Fernandez said, “To become a global green finance centre, Singapore must quickly build a deep talent pool in sustainable finance. The SGFC is working toward this big change by building a community that can make a difference in the field. This ‘Climate Change Management’ course is the first of many that we will be rolling out. Industry support for SGFC has been strong since it was set up, so we are certain that our academically rigorous courses are in sync with what finance practitioners need to lead in the area of sustainable finance.”
Michael Wilkins, Professor of Practice and Executive Director of Imperial College Business School’s Centre for Climate Finance & Investment and Co-Director of the SGFC, added: “Imperial College is committed to lending its considerable expertise and academic knowledge in climate and sustainable finance into expanding the SGFC’s capabilities through an accredited executive education programme in Singapore. We believe financial institutions will benefit from a practical and industry-relevant curriculum delving into topics such as carbon markets, sustainable finance instruments, and sustainability reporting, among others.”
Chief Sustainability Officer and Assistant Managing Director (Development and International), MAS, Ms Gillian Tan said, “A robust sustainable finance research and talent ecosystem is a critical enabler in supporting Asia’s transition to a low carbon future. The SGFC has been an important part of this ecosystem, bringing together two leading academic institutions to grow Asia-focused research and training in Sustainable Finance. By tapping on SGFC’s new series of courses, which will be accredited by the Institute of Banking and Finance, financial sector professionals can acquire the skills needed to thrive in the growing sustainable finance space.”
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Source: Singapore Management University
