This year, students at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business have been able to opt for a new type of finance course - one covering investing for social and environmental as well as financial returns. However, in spite of the growth of green, social and ethical funds, as well as a rise in interest in microfinance and clean technology investments, few business schools are offering this kind of financial education.
The Ross School's course helps students learn how to structure and value renewable energy and energy efficient projects, clean tech venture capital and microfinance projects. Part of the course involves team working, with groups creating private equity funds or debt instruments that would both fit in institutional investors' portfolios and also deliver social and environmental gains.
Taught by the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise - a joint venture between the business school and the School of Natural Resources and Environment - the seven-week programme is open to MBA students as well as students from the university's other schools.