Kyunghee Jeong MSc

The course

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS)?

I was working in the field of policy finance and I developed an interest in climate change. However, I didn’t fully understand how finance could be effectively linked to climate impact or how to enhance the profitability of climate-related projects. In my search for practical solutions, I discovered the MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment (CCFI) programme at the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS).

The programme examines how the climate market is influenced by policy mechanisms, explores its operational dynamics, and conducts project-level business feasibility assessments. Additionally, I was excited about the opportunity to spend time in Edinburgh - a city as beautiful as a fairy tale.

What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?

I wanted to find a Master’s programme that would allow me to study the driving forces behind the climate finance market in a practical and comprehensive manner. The CCFI programme stood out to me because it offered courses on carbon accounting and carbon pricing. These courses helped me understand both the quantity and pricing aspects of the climate mitigation market. The programme also covered regulations related to climate policy and taxonomy, extending even to climate adaptation.

Your career

Can you tell us about your career before and after graduating?

Before enrolling on the CCFI programme, I worked in corporate finance, equity investment, and on-lending finance at Korea Development Bank.

After completing the programme, I was able to apply the expertise I learned from the programme within my organisation by working in the ESG Centre on Green Finance Planning. Currently, I am structuring climate finance programmes that have been approved by the world's largest climate fund, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and I am responsible for implementing these programmes in developing countries.

I’m now part of a powerful community dedicated to advancing climate finance.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

Through the programme, I gained valuable knowledge and experience that is difficult to find in standard financial roles. I learned about the scientific foundations of climate finance, international treaties, policy frameworks, carbon market pricing, and mitigation assessment methods. Climate finance is a broad and complex field, where multiple disciplines are intricately connected. Without such a comprehensive learning experience that covers both foundational concepts and practical tools, it would have been challenging to fully understand and effectively work in this sector. The programme significantly helped me adapt to the climate finance field.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to work on a consulting project with Baillie Gifford, a global asset management firm. This experience allowed me to understand what practitioners in the climate market consider most important and how to communicate with them effectively. It not only provided me with practical insights but also gave me the confidence and mindset necessary to approach my work in climate finance with professionalism and clarity.

Masters of Change

What notable changes has your degree enabled you to make in your professional or personal life?

One of the greatest assets I gained from the programme is the network that came with it - my CCFI cohort, the faculty, and the broader community.

Through the programme, I was able to build meaningful professional connections and exchange ideas with peers who are equally passionate about addressing climate challenges. After returning to Korea, these connections continue to support my work today.

Beyond professional opportunities, the programme enabled me to realise that others were grappling with the same difficult question of how best to tackle climate issues. This made the challenge feel less overwhelming and reinforced my motivation to contribute in my own way.

What are the changes you have been able to make in your chosen field, of which you are most proud?

When I first began working with GCF-funded climate finance projects, I was surprised to discover that getting a single project approved required preparing hundreds of pages of documentation. It wasn't just the sheer volume of paperwork; the technical terminology was so complex that, although I had studied climate finance and could follow along, I recognised that for people without that background, the terminology and processes would feel overwhelmingly difficult.

Over the past two years, I have taken pride in the fact that I have developed and refined new internal regulations and guidelines within the bank’s system. This improvement has enabled us to implement GCF-approved projects faster. Whilst my classmates and I often discussed the need to view projects from a broader perspective, I felt that we also needed to accelerate our actions. I took the initiative to turn that idea into concrete rules and processes, ensuring that our work at Korea Development Bank could keep pace with the urgency of climate change.

How did your studies at the Business School help you to make those changes?

During my master's programme, I learned the importance of clearly understanding a problem. In the past, I often felt frustrated when things didn’t go as planned but have realised the importance of stepping back and reflecting.

The programme provided me with opportunities to practice this approach. For example, during consulting projects, I regularly checked in with clients. This experience trained me to communicate more openly and adjust my work accordingly, thereby delivering more meaningful results.

What key things that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

Before my master’s, I worked at a bank for 13 years in a non-English-speaking country, with little direct experience of communicating with international partners. However, during the CCFI programme, I actively prepared for seminars and gained valuable experience through consulting projects and team collaborations which eased my initial concerns and helped me recognise the subtle differences in communication styles.

Additionally, I took part in the Edinburgh Award, which taught me the process of self-reflection and clearly defining my personal goals which significantly strengthened my communication skills, and is something I continue to apply effectively today.

Course highlights and advice

What are your best memories on the programme?

I felt a strong sense of solidarity with the cohort, knowing that we had come together to tackle the challenging issue of climate change. Even after lectures, we often gathered socially to discuss international climate action, politics, and life in general.

What made this experience even more special for me was that I came to Scotland with my family. The warm welcome we received not only from wonderful friends and professors but also from the local community created unforgettable memories for us.

What one piece of advice would you give to current students?

My advice is to make the most of your time on the CCFI programme. Prepare actively, participate fully in classes, enjoy socialising with your classmates, and spend time wrestling with papers in the library. The more you read and engage in conversations, the more joy you will find.