Certified Expert in Biodiversity Finance

Biodiversity underpins life on Earth. Healthy ecosystems provide ecosystem services essential to human well-being and economic activities. Scientists estimate that one million of the world’s estimated 8 million species of plants and animals are on the verge of extinction, and this could curtail our ability to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Why should financial institutions care? In today's world, financial institutions play a pivotal role in managing financial resources and contributing to the conservation of our planet's invaluable biodiversity. They impact biodiversity through their lending or investment decisions. At the same time, they are exposed to physical, reputational, systemic, and transitional risks due to biodiversity loss. Hence, the disruption of biodiversity poses significant yet often overlooked risks to financial stability. The financial sector is increasingly acknowledging the financial risks associated with biodiversity loss and the integral role it could play in preserving the delicate balance of life on Earth. According to UNEP, if the world is to achieve its climate change, biodiversity, and land degradation objectives, investments in nature must triple by 2030.

Our Biodiversity Finance Course is designed to deepen your understanding of risks associated with biodiversity loss and empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to support the preservation of Earth's diverse ecosystems as financial actors.

The online course can be complemented by a classroom component. This is voluntary and not a requirement to get certified by Frankfurt School. You can book the online course and classroom component either individually or as a package.

Registration for the March intake is now open. Register by January 15 to take advantage of our early bird discount.

Registration for the on-campus training is still open on January 30-31, 2025.

In a world increasingly aware of the urgent need for environmental conservation, this course allows you to align with sustainability and thrive in the evolving financial landscape of environmental conservation. Biodiversity finance is the key to safeguarding our planet's future while ensuring the financial institution’s long-term success.

In the foundational module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and the vital role it plays in our world. Discover how healthy ecosystems are the backbone of our economy, providing essential services that underpin financial stability. This course explores the intricate link between biodiversity loss and climate change, to identify, assess, and mitigate biodiversity-related risks in the financial sector’s operations and investments. Participants delve into biodiversity finance, demystifying terms like impact dependence and double materiality, and uncovering risk management strategies. Explore tools for assessing risks and evaluating impacts and opportunities.

The course also discusses the public and private sectors' roles and helps navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape surrounding biodiversity finance.

Lastly, participants gain insights into real-world examples that have already started their journey to integrated biodiversity finance within a financial sector's strategy, processes and products. successfully.

Interested participants can deepen their understanding of closely related topics in the three electives:

• Forests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, providing habitats for countless species. Deforestation-free finance helps protect this biodiversity by reducing the pressure on forests, and safeguarding the species that call them home. Deforestation-free finance is crucial for protecting biodiversity, mitigating climate change, supporting local communities, and ensuring the sustainable use of forest resources. It aligns with global sustainability goals and promotes responsible business practices across various industries.
• Oceans are home to a vast array of marine species. Properly managed blue economy finance can help conserve biodiversity and protect endangered species by supporting them. The importance of blue economy finance lies in its potential to promote sustainable development and conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems while also driving economic growth.
• The circular economy concept is essential for biodiversity conservation because it reduces resource consumption, waste generation, and environmental degradation. By promoting more sustainable and responsible resource management, the circular economy contributes to protecting and preserving ecosystems and the species that depend on them.

General information for the online course and on-campus training

• Each of the courses (online or on-campus) can be booked individually or as a package.
• You will receive the certificate only after successful completion of the e-learning course. The participation in the on-campus training is voluntary and does not affect the participation of the e-learning course.
• However, the on-campus training is closely related to the contents of selected units of the e-learning course.
• For further questions, please contact the e-campus team (e-campus@fs.de) 

*Subject to change

The flexibility of our courses offers you the opportunity to follow your own schedule and to combine daily work with professional development.

The high quality offered will immediately improve your daily job performance as well as the performance of your institution.

This program is flexible and self-paced. It offers some online live sessions, such as introduction and final exam preparation sessions. These sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend live.

30-31 January 2025

The e-learning course units are complemented by two elective on-campus training days at Frankfurt School in Frankfurt, Germany. These days provide the opportunity for participants and trainers to meet in real life for reflection, discussions and deep dives into current trends as well as tailored training sessions.

The next classroom training will take place at Frankfurt School Campus (Frankfurt, Germany). Teaching language will be English. 

Course Structure*

Below you find the tentative agenda of the 2-day-training. All sessions take place at Frankfurt School's Campus.

* Subject to change.

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All our courses contribute to the following SDGs

This course will give you a deeper understanding of the following SDGs. The SWA offers professional and executive courses dedicated to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).