This module provides a comprehensive foundation in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, delving into their increasing importance in business, finance, and investment decision-making. The course begins with an introduction to ESG principles and their broader implications for firms, stakeholders, and society, laying the groundwork for understanding these factors' critical role in modern business practices. You will explore environmental factors, such as climate change, resource management, and carbon emissions, assessing how these issues shape corporate strategies and affect stakeholder relationships. The module covers social factors, including labour rights, diversity, and community engagement, and examines their potential impacts on firms and society. Additionally, governance factors, particularly corporate ethics, board structure, and transparency, will be analysed, with a focus on their influence on business operations and stakeholder trust.A key component of the course is a review of corporate social responsibility (CSR) theories, offering a deeper understanding of how businesses can address societal and environmental challenges. The module also introduces Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) scoring systems, exploring the methodologies employed to evaluate corporate sustainability and performance. You will examine the role of sustainable finance in tackling environmental and social issues, with special attention given to financial instruments like green bonds, impact investing, and sustainability-linked loans. The course equips you with the tools to analyse and integrate ESG factors into investment decision-making, ensuring you can apply these concepts in practical financial contexts. Furthermore, you will gain insight into sustainable finance markets and instruments, learning how these mechanisms help drive the shift toward more responsible investment strategies. The module also covers the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting their relevance in integrating ESG considerations into corporate and investment practices.In addition, you will be introduced to the econometric analysis of climate change, with a focus on understanding its economic implications through data and statistical methods. You will also explore the econometric analysis of climate change's impact on asset pricing, examining how environmental factors can influence financial markets and asset values.By the end of this module, you will have developed the knowledge and skills necessary to analyse sustainable finance markets critically, incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into investment decisions, and understand the broader implications of these factors for business and society.