MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment

Dear Class of 2025/26,

I am delighted to welcome you to the MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment programme. We look forward to having you join us in Edinburgh this September.

You are joining us at an exciting, yet challenging moment for the transition to a low-GHG, climate-resilient society. We are now well into the 'critical decade' for countries to meet our shared long-term climate goals. On one hand, major investments are required in low-carbon technologies, infrastructure, and adaptation over the next 30 years. On the other hand, we are seeing a rapid expansion of green and sustainable finance and investment from public and private sources worldwide. As we move through 2024 governments, corporations and financial institutions must now all demonstrate progress on the significant climate finance and investment commitments they have made.

Future changemakers in the financial and investment sector must be well versed in climate change and sustainability to help society seize the opportunities, manage the risks and give purpose to finance. This year has demonstrated to the financial community the challenges faced when taking action on climate and the need to bridge diverse issues ranging from a global pandemic, economic and energy shocks, geopolitical conflicts, accelerating climatic impacts, to changes in consumer and lifestyle patterns in response. Continued inflation, increasing financing costs and the geopolitical, energy and commodity crises are raising new hurdles for both the climate community and the broader economy. Will the impact of these crises lead to prioritizing 'green' investment by the public and private sectors? Or will decisions focused on the short-term lead to the locking-in of further GHG emissions and climate vulnerabilities?

Over the next 12 months, our aim is to help you develop the advanced knowledge and skills to answer these questions and be part of the low-carbon, resilient transition under way around the globe. We believe that a major constraint to achieving the level of investment required is a shortage of professionals with the skills and knowledge in carbon investment and finance, carbon accounting, and climate policy. Providing these skills is the reason the MSc in Climate Change Finance and Investment was created, and we very much look forward to working with you during the year ahead, and beyond.

On these pages you will find useful information both if you will be able to join us in Edinburgh in September or will be starting your degree online and joining us later in the academic year. In both cases, the University aims to provide you with the timely and essential information you need to help make the start of the academic year a smooth one. Please take a careful look at these materials.

I look forward to meeting you in September, and in the meantime if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.