Energy Transition and sustainability for the finance industry

This course is part of UiB's online courses, in collaboration with UiB Videre. This course is developed with support from the Norwegian Directorate of higher education, and in collaboration with three industry partners: Sparebank1 SMN, Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane and Sparebanken Vest. The course is available external participants without student affiliation at UiB, and the course contents are tailored for the banking and finance sector. Each partner has a designated number of study places reserved for its employees.

More information about the course can be found here:

https://www4.uib.no/en/studies/online-studies/natural-sciences-and-mathematics/energy-transition-and-sustainability-for

UiB students that want to participate in SDG617 are referred to SDG207, which is offered in the autumn semester and is intended for full-time students.

Objective

The main objective of the course is to provide an introduction to sustainability and energy transition in light of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. It aims to give students an understanding of the key interdisciplinary challenges associated with transitioning to a low-carbon society.

The course also seeks to provide insight into the role of the banking and finance sector in the green transition, as well as in sustainability and energy-related issues that are particularly relevant for professionals working in banking and finance.

The course addresses the UN’s seventh Sustainable Development Goal and equips students with the knowledge and perspectives needed to discuss the SDGs in the context of mitigating ongoing climate change through a shift toward a more sustainable energy mix.

Contents

The course is divided into interdisciplinary modules.

The introductory modules focus on various sustainable and renewable energy sources, including geothermal energy, offshore wind, solar power, hydroelectric power, mineral extraction, as well as carbon capture, storage, and utilization.

The next part of the course includes modules that explore the role of the banking and finance sector in the green transition, along with drivers and motivational factors for transitioning to a low-carbon society — including climate change and the global need for clean and sustainable energy supply.

The final part of the course addresses energy transition and society, with specific sustainability and green transition challenges relevant to the banking and finance industry. Topics include the EU taxonomy, climate risk, sustainability requirements and reporting, green loan products, and EU housing regulations.

To address these topics, the course covers a wide range of disciplines relevant to sustainability and energy transition. Participants will engage with a variety of experts teaching across the different modules.

The course is fully online. Instruction consists of pre-recorded lectures and three evening online sessions. The course concludes with a digital multiple-choice exam that can be completed from home.

After completing the course, students will have knowledge of a broad range of measures aimed at reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels, as well as an understanding of the prerequisites and potential consequences of various initiatives to accelerate the transition to a low-emission society.

Knowledge

The student will be able to:

• Understand the importance of sustainability and green transition within the banking and finance sector
• Identify key drivers motivating the shift toward a more sustainable and low-emission energy supply
• Explain the science and technology behind various renewable energy sources
• Understand the main scientific, technological, and societal challenges related to energy transition
• Describe the key aspects of the banking and finance sector’s role in the green transition

Skills

he student will be able to:

• Assess the advantages and disadvantages of different sustainable energy sources
• Understand the main societal, legal, and economic challenges associated with energy transition
• Explain the key consequences of transitioning to a low-emission society
• Provide guidance to clients on green and sustainable loan and investment products

General competence

The student will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical thinking and evidence-based understanding
• Show interdisciplinary awareness through discussions on the interaction between the banking and finance sector and society at large
• Communicate and debate scientific, technological, and societal challenges related to energy transition, particularly in the context of the banking and finance sector’s role