Erasmus University Rotterdam
Sustainable Corporate Finance
Erasmus University Rotterdam

Sustainable Corporate Finance

Dirk Schoenmaker

Instructor: Dirk Schoenmaker

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

13 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

13 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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Recently updated!

February 2025

Assessments

9 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 12 modules in this course

Welcome to the Sustainable Corporate Finance course!

What's included

1 video2 readings1 discussion prompt

In this module, you’ll learn about the planetary boundaries, social foundations, SDGs, and explore the integrated model—a new way of thinking beyond the shareholder and stakeholder models. You'll discover how this model solves governance challenges and works in practice. Let’s dive in!

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

Building on the previous module’s focus on social and planetary boundaries, this module shows how companies can create value through sustainability. You’ll learn how integrating purpose, strategy, and business models leads to long-term value for both the business and society. As sustainability transitions reshape industries, you’ll see how companies can adapt and thrive.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

You will discover how companies use financial discounting to evaluate whether projects are worth pursuing. Sustainability and integrated value are essential for long-term success, but how do you factor in the social and environmental impacts of projects when making financial decisions? This module shows you how to use discount rates to consider financial, social and environmental costs.

What's included

5 videos1 reading1 assignment

You learned how to factor social and environmental impacts into financial decisions. Now, this module takes you a step further into how those ideas come to life in investment choices. You’ll explore how to adapt traditional capital budgeting to account for sustainability and how corporate governance can steer these decisions. This module equips you with the knowledge of how firms can make investment decisions that are financially smart and aligned with long-term, sustainable value.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment

This module focuses on how sustainability influences bond and equity markets. Here, you'll go deeper into how sustainability factors are integrated into bond pricing, equity valuation, and the broader financial system. This module adds a critical layer to your knowledge by showing you how traditional financial tools, like interest rates and credit ratings, can be adapted to reflect long-term value through a sustainability lens.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

You’ll apply integrated valuation to a real-world case study—Inditex. Learn to analyze a company’s business model, tackle transition challenges, and calculate its integrated value, considering social and environmental impacts. This module highlights the real-world implications of impact reporting and helps you bridge the gap between theory and practice.

What's included

3 videos1 reading

This module focuses on financial tools to assess risks and returns with a sustainability perspective. Learn to consider social, environmental, and financial risks for better, future-focused investment decisions. Explore the true cost of different types of capital and understand how sustainability shapes risk analysis and influences a company’s financial strategy.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

You’ll expand your focus from firms to the broader market perspective, applying your sustainability knowledge to capital markets. You’ll learn how investor behavior affects market dynamics and explore adaptive market theory and impact investing, where financial returns meet positive social and environmental outcomes. This module connects sustainability with market performance, providing crucial context for the markets in which firms operate.

What's included

3 videos1 reading1 assignment

In this module, you’ll learn about financial capital structure – how it affects payouts and shareholder value, how it is influenced by social and environmental factors and how to integrate these considerations into a company’s financial strategy. Building on Module 9’s capital markets and impact investing, the following lessons connect the external market dynamics with internal financial structures, helping you discover how sustainability factors can shape both market performance and company decisions.

What's included

5 videos1 reading1 assignment

You’ll review the basics of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and their valuation methods. You’ll see how social and environmental factors play a crucial role in the M&A process and due diligence. The module highlights the value of integrating these factors into deal assessments, using a real-world case study—Kraft Heinz and Unilever—to show how sustainability can drive better M&A outcomes.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

Wrap up your journey with this final module! Reflect on the key takeaways from the course and explore future trends in sustainable corporate finance. Watch three insightful videos featuring conversations between the main course instructor and experts from industry and academia. Discover how sustainable finance is transforming corporate practices and strategies, highlighting the growing importance of these skills and knowledge for future professionals.

What's included

3 videos1 discussion prompt

Instructor

Dirk Schoenmaker
Erasmus University Rotterdam
4 Courses113,457 learners

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