Description

The course begins with an exploration of the correlation between values systems, measurement processes and the necessity to pursue efficiency for any values systems. The course reviews traditional financial return models to offer models for calculating blended return on investment for investors, firms, policy makers, ESG fund managers and others seeking tools to create informed choices for driving impact investment. Content ranges from an overview of traditional GRI reporting, ESG ratings criteria and rating systems to emerging tools for measuring impact at the local scale. The course will branch and allow students to critique and explore practical applications to impact measures within their own fields of interest. The course also explores existing and emerging metrics, data sets and the way impact is measured from the international level (UN SDGs) to the community level. Students will come away with the tools and information to identify risks and opportunities within portfolios, the skills to screen and value investments based on data, and an understanding of how to integrate ESG criteria into management and investment decisions.