ITF 424 | Course Introduction and Application Information - Department of International Trade and Finance

Course Name

Sustainable Finance

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
ITF 424	Fall/Spring	3	0	3	6

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	Elective
Course Level	First Cycle
Mode of Delivery	face to face
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	Discussion Group Work Lecture / Presentation
National Occupation Classification	-
Course Coordinator	Prof. Dr. C Coşkun KÜÇÜKÖZMEN
Course Lecturer(s)	Prof. Dr. YENER COŞKUN
Assistant(s)	Araş. Gör. Birce TEDİK KOCAKAYA

Course Objectives	This course will provide students with an understanding of the principles, practices, and challenges related to sustainable finance and socially responsible investment and integrate all these to the financial sector.
Learning Outcomes	The students who succeeded in this course; Explain the fundamental concepts and principles underlying sustainable finance and ESG investing. Describe the relationship between sustainable investment, green finance, and corporate financial performance. Analyze CO₂ emission markets, ESG metrics, climate risk pricing, and socially responsible investment practices. Evaluate the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance. Examine the regulatory and institutional environment for ESG disclosure and sustainability accounting. Discuss strategies for integrating ESG factors into institutional investment, portfolio management, and financial decision-making.
Course Description	This course introduces students to the concepts and practices of sustainable finance and ESG (Environmental, social, and governance) investing. The course covers the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into financial decision-making processes. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and investment through examining different cases.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses	X
	Supportive Courses
	Media and Management Skills Courses
	Transferable Skill Courses

Week	Subjects	Related Preparation
1	Introduction to Environmental Finance and Sustainability	Taticchi et al. (2013), Chapter 1: pp.1-27
2	Introduction to Environmental Finance and Sustainability	Taticchi et al. (2013), Chapter 2: pp.27-58)
3	Introduction to Environmental Finance and Sustainability	Taticchi et al. (2013), Chapter 5: pp.103-115)
4	Sustainability and Investments	CH 1, OECD. (2020: 17-38)
5	Sustainability and Investments	CH 2-3, OECD. (2020: 41-92)
6	Sustainability and Investments	CH 2-3, OECD. (2020: 41-92)
7	Sustainable Investments and ESG Investing	CH 2-3, OECD. (2020: 95-114); Erol et al. (2023)
8	Sustainable Investments and ESG Investing	Coskun (2024)
9	Midterm Exam
10	Environmental Accounting and Reporting	Michelon and Parbonetti (2012)
11	Environmental Accounting and Reporting	Abeysekera (2022)
12	Environmental Accounting and Reporting	GRI standards: https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/
13	Environmental Accounting and Reporting	GRI standards: https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/
14	Environmental Accounting and Reporting	ESG Regulations in EU and Türkiye: https://www.kgk.gov.tr/surdurulebilirlik
15	Delivery and Presentation of Term Papers
16	Final Exam

Course Notes/Textbooks

Corporate Sustainability - CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance

Taticchi, P., Carbone, P., & Albino, V. (Eds.). New York: Springer. 2013.

Suggested Readings/Materials

Erol, I., Unal, U. & Coskun, Y. ESG investing and the financial performance: a panel data analysis of developed REIT markets. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 85154–85169 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-28376-1

Coşkun, Y. (2024) EACVA; https://eacva.com/wp-content/uploads/EBVM_2024-01_European_Business_Valuation_Magazine.pdf

GRI standards: https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/

ESG Regulations in EU and Türkiye: https://www.kgk.gov.tr/surdurulebilirlik

Michelon, G., & Parbonetti, A. (2012). The effect of corporate governance on sustainability disclosure. Journal of management & governance, 16, 477-509.

Abeysekera, I. (2022). A framework for sustainability reporting. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 13(6), 1386-1409.

Coskun, Y. and Unalmis, I. (2022). Role of Governments in Enhancing Green Digital Finance for Meeting SDGs (in, Green Digital Finance and Sustainable Development Goals, Eds.: Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. and Hyun, S., Economics, Law, and Institutions in Asia Pacific. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2662-4_4): pp. 69-88.

Semester Activities	Number	Weigthing
Participation	1	10
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury	1	15
Project	1	25
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exams
Midterm	1	20
Final Exam	1	30
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade	4	70
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade	1	30
Total

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Theoretical Course Hours (Including exam week: 16 x total hours)	16	3	48
Laboratory / Application Hours (Including exam week: '.16.' x total hours)	16		0
Study Hours Out of Class	14	2	28
Field Work			0
Quizzes / Studio Critiques			0
Portfolio			0
Homework / Assignments			0
Presentation / Jury	1	15	15
Project	1	23	23
Seminar / Workshop			0
Oral Exam			0
Midterms	1	25	25
Final Exam	1	35	35
		Total	174

#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To be able to identify and analyze problems in the field of trade and finance, and to develop solutions.	-	-	-	X	-
2	To be able to apply theoretical and practical knowledge of international trade and finance to real-world professional contexts.	-	-	-	X	-
3	To be able to critically analyze global market developments and evaluate their implications for business and policy.	-	-	-	-	-
4	To be able to collect, analyze, and interpret financial and economic data by using digital and information technologies effectively.	-	-	-	-	-
5	To be able to understand and interpret legal frameworks, regulations and practices relevant to international trade and finance.	-	-	-	-	-
6	To be able to anticipate, define, and manage financial and trade-related risks through informed decision-making.	-	-	-	-	-
7	To be able to acquire and use verbal, written, and numerical skills effectively for the nature of international trade and finance program.	-	-	-	-	-
8	To be able to obtain, synthesize, and report trade- and finance-related information clearly and effectively.	-	-	-	-	-
9	To be able to contribute effectively as individuals, team members, and leaders in multidisciplinary environments.	-	-	-	-	-
10	To be able to evaluate trade and finance issues from ethical, social, and sustainability perspectives.	-	-	-	X	-
11	To be able to collect data in the areas of International Trade and Finance and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1).	-	-	-	-	-
12	To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently.	-	-	-	-	-
13	To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout human history to their field of expertise.	-	-	-	-	-