The CFA Institute has launched a new certificate aimed at helping financial professionals to develop their climate-related investment expertise and account for climate-related factors in their investment decision-making processes. Registrations for the investment professionals association’s new Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate are scheduled to open on 30 November. The CFA Institute said the certificate would address the investment industry’s “knowledge and skills gap” by helping analysts and portfolio managers to integrate climate considerations into valuation and portfolio construction processes across asset classes. The advanced-level certificate requires around 100 hours of learning, across five courses concluding with a final summative assessment. The five courses consist: climate science, risks and regulations; transition finance; climate and valuation – listed equity and debt; climate and valuation – alternatives; and portfolio management and stewardship. The curriculum and supporting activities are based on models and case studies from industry professionals and subject matter experts. “Uniquely, this certificate looks at climate risks from an investment practitioner-oriented viewpoint, addressing the practical application of climate factors in investment decisions,” said Richard Fernand, Head of Certificate Management at CFA Institute. “In addition, the cohort approach is known to be an effective model for learning as it helps build a stronger sense of community among participants as they are going through the learning process at the same pace, which helps further develop their networks and provide motivation.”
