ESG, Sustainability and Climate Change for Bank Executives – Transitioning to New Lending Strategies

Dates:

• 10 - 14 November 2025 - Kigali (£2,540)

Course Outline

Banks are now expected to demonstrate how they are managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks through their funding activities. They must also show that they are responding positively to emerging opportunities which adds long-term value, satisfies all stakeholders and contributes to national and international Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Investors are increasingly expecting banks to transform their lending strategy and drive their clients’ green transition plans. Only banks that do so will be able to maintain and strengthen their credibility and secure new long-term investment. As their risk management and sustainability strategies become increasingly complex, banks must now work closely with their credit clients to develop strategic approaches to migrating their clients’ business operations to environmentally friendly and lower carbon models. This is now a key imperative.

This course explores the practical steps required to transform bank lending and influence clients’ transition plans. It will also examine climate-related financial disclosure and transparency initiatives and obligations facing banks and their customers.

Course Participants

This course is for bank executives responsible for taking client business forward towards sustainable performance. Potential participants may include:

• Risk Managers, Credit Analysts and Relationship Managers
• Sustainability Managers, Strategists and Marketing Directors
• Treasury Managers, Asset-Liability Committee (ALCO) Members and Legal Counsels

Course Objectives: 

On completion, you will be able to:

• Understand ESG and climate change drivers
• Outline international and local standards, requirements and laws, and their impact on banks
• Meet ESG related financial disclosure reporting requirements
• Conduct robust sectoral analysis to inform credit and investment portfolio strategy
• Review the status of a client’s ESG credentials and green transition plans against bank requirements and expectations
• Engage in a strategic dialogue with clients to influence their ESG and green ambitions
• Actively pursue Green and Climate finance opportunities in existing and new business sectors
• Deliver ESG reporting to recognised and emerging standards, including the latest climate- related financial (TCFD) disclosure requirements

Key Topics

• Implications for banks: ethics, compliance, standards, reporting requirements, bank stakeholder expectations, and bank partnership initiatives for peer learning
• Lending portfolio strategies – sector assessment, risk and opportunities, and medium-term viability
• Examining physical climate risk
• Credit and project finance appraisal incorporating ESG/Green criteria and other risks
• Assessing migration plans to lower carbon business models, supply chain resilience and circular economy initiatives
• Managing transition risks: policy changes, legal, technology, market
• Climate change transition in practice, including decreasing funding to carbon intensive enterprises, using green loans and Green Bonds and working with multi-laterals
• Managing client relationships and dialogue around green transition plans