ESG Data & Accountability

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/esg-data-and-accountability

Introduction

### Course Review: ESG Data & Accountability on Coursera In a world where environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns are becoming increasingly essential for investors and corporations, the Coursera course titled *ESG Data & Accountability* provides a timely and comprehensive exploration of the subject. This course serves as an invaluable resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of ESG-related data analysis and accountability—critical skills as the financial landscape increasingly integrates sustainable practices into traditional analysis. #### Course Overview The course is thoughtfully designed, specifically targeting students with a foundational knowledge of traditional financial products. It introduces data-driven tools that enhance fundamental analysis, highlighting deceptive marketing practices, such as greenwashing, that can mislead stakeholders. Students will gain insights into how companies can align with the values of the millennial generation, who prioritize ethical investing. #### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Using Advanced Technology for Further Analysis**: This module discusses the daunting task of conducting fundamental analysis on ESG issues amid the overwhelming data available. It introduces students to leading technology companies—like Refinitiv, MSCI, and Truvalue Labs—that employ artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing to assist in ESG investing. Understanding how Big Data impacts investment decisions lays a solid foundation for students. 2. **Investment Sentiment Signals from Sentifi (Parts 1-8)**: A standout feature of the course is the three-part webinar series featuring Marina Goche, CEO of Sentifi. It dives deep into the role of alternative data—especially from less traditional sources like social media—providing practical insights into how these signals can inform investment decisions. This engaging format combines theory with real-world application, helping students appreciate the nuances of data quality and its impact on asset valuations. 3. **Big Data & Accountability: Industry Insights (Parts 1-8)**: The panel discussion with industry experts from Refinitiv, Truvalue Labs, and Quantum Research Group offers a wealth of perspectives on ESG investing. These sessions tackle the balance of technology and human analysis and the evolving role of ESG metrics in traditional finance. The course further explores the challenges of subjectivity in financial materiality assessments and how ESG factors can resonate with individual investor values. 4. **Deceptive Business Practices**: A critical and often overlooked component of ESG investing is the issue of accountability. This module uncovers various forms of deceptive practices such as greenwashing and social washing. It emphasizes the need for regulatory reform and the importance of due diligence when evaluating investments. Participants will leave with a refreshed understanding of how to critique ESG marketing practices effectively. 5. **Reading Reinforcements**: Supplementary readings enrich the learning experience by delving into data collection methods and providing historical context on deceptive practices in business. These crucial insights help consolidate students’ understanding of the course content, encouraging critical thinking around the complexities of ESG investing. #### Recommendations *ESG Data & Accountability* is a must-take course for: - **Investors**: Those interested in socially responsible investing will find the tools and insights valuable for making informed decisions. - **Finance Professionals**: Bankers, analysts, and portfolio managers will benefit from the integration of traditional financial analysis with contemporary ESG considerations. - **Students and Academics**: This course provides a robust understanding of how ESG criteria can be applied in various financial frameworks, making it an excellent choice for students in finance, economics, or environmental studies. #### Final Thoughts The *ESG Data & Accountability* course on Coursera offers a well-rounded education on the intersection of finance and ESG principles. With expert insights, engaging content, and practical tools, it equips participants with the necessary skills for navigating the complexities of modern investment landscapes. Whether you are looking to enhance your existing knowledge or embark on a new career in sustainable finance, this course provides a solid foundation for achieving your goals. Enroll today to gain a competitive edge in the evolving world of ESG investing!

Syllabus

Using Advanced Technology for Further Analysis

As conducting fundamental analysis on ESG-related issues can be quite a daunting task – especially given the massive amounts of variables that may be considered relevant – many companies and organizations have been working to establish more advanced, technological tools and scoring systems to aid in the effort. For example, certain companies, including Refinitiv, Morningstar’s Sustainalytics, FactSet-owned Truvalue Labs, and MSCI, among others, may employ artificial intelligence, with machine learning, natural language processing (NLP) and sentiment analysis algorithms to help arrive at data that may assist in ESG investing analysis. In this module, we will take a broad look at the landscape of how Big Data and certain impact tools can help guide you through making investments in the ESG space.

In the following webinar, “Making Informed Investment Decisions with Alternative Data “, you’ll learn how less traditional financial sources – namely investment signals from social media, news, and blogs increasingly offer meaningful insights on market momentum shifts as they occur. Among other features in this presentation, Marina Goche, chief executive officer at alternative data provider Sentifi, evaluates what constitutes “good data” for investment decision-making, how alternative data stacks up, and key considerations in selecting alternative data sources to make informed investment decisions. Goche also walks through certain characteristics of alternative data quality such as reliability, granularity, timeliness, and actionability, and how these may be used to inform investors’ buy, sell, and hold decisions.

The “Making Informed Investment Decisions with Alternative Data” webinar continues with Marina Goche, CEO of Sentifi, illustrating how alternative data may close the timeliness gap with traditional data sets, how investment sentiment signals from ESG events may impact asset valuations, such as a company’s stock price, and explores how investors may rebalance a portfolio using investment sentiment signals based on ESG events.

The “Making Informed Investment Decisions with Alternative Data” webinar continues with Marina Goche, CEO of Sentifi, fielding participants’ questions about investment sentiment signals, such as corruption, provides details about how machine learning models can help determine source credibility, and addresses how alternative data may be considered “actionable” when making investment decisions and rebalancing a portfolio. Goche also highlights certain technology features designed to handle Sentifi’s massive volume of alternative data sets.

In the webinar, “ESG Investing: How Big Data Helps Drive Financial Decisions”, panelists from Refinitiv, FactSet-owned Truvalue Labs, Quantum Research Group, and IBKR provide their insights into a wide range of topics, including finding the right balance between technology and human analysis, as well as how much weight to assign to each of the E-S-G factors in terms of materiality. They also offer, among other commentary, how ESG investing and Big Data may evolve over the next 5 to 10 years.

The “ESG Investing: How Big Data Helps Drive Financial Decisions” webinar continues with panelists addressing the challenge of subjectivity when assessing financial materiality in ESG, how the mentality of the financial market has shifted towards ESG, sustainability and impact, and how ESG factors can connect with investors’ personal values when making investment decisions.

The “ESG Investing: How Big Data Helps Drive Financial Decisions” webinar continues with panelists providing their outlook on how ESG investing may evolve over the next 5-10 years, as well as addresses participants’ questions about how Big Data interprets ESG factors, and how ESG data can be used to make more informed investment decisions. Following the webinar, we will also walk-through different forms of deceptive business practices, including green washing, social washing, blue washing, and pink washing, and how companies have historically sought to sidestep controversies, and their associated, potential adverse financial impacts. You’ll learn what forces can help cajole these companies from being held accountable, as well as how regulatory reform may play a key role in eliminating these practices. After completing the videos and webinars in this module, you should be able to discuss, among other topics, how, despite the proliferation of ESG investing-related marketing, products, research, data-driven tools, and inflows into funds, the discipline itself remains subject to a host of unresolved issues, and how conducting due diligence when integrating ESG factors into your financial and credit analyses may ensure whether your investments will be truly aligned with your values.

This Reading Reinforcements module explores more in-depth details about data collection, ESG scores, and how artificial intelligence can aid ESG investing practices, as well as specific examples of green washing activity. After completing the lessons that follow, you should be able to draw conclusions about how Big Data and artificial intelligence can aid in ESG investing analysis, as well as provide insights into historical, and more recent, forms of deceptive business practices.