Archive

Green bond fund assets double in 2020

Total assets in green bond funds hit $20 billion at the end of 2020, with some funds tripling in size, Ahren Lester reports, and fund managers expect inflows to continue to power ahead in 2021

Buoyant market supports strong GSSS bond fund performance in 2020

Building on a strong performance in 2019, green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked bond funds delivered a healthy performance in 2020 as fixed income markets were boosted by low interest rates. Ahren Lester reports

Green bond comment, March: Are green bond investors overly cautious about sustainability-linked bonds?

Interest in sustainability-linked bonds among investors has continued to grow, but green bond-focused investors have offered a more cautious reception to the innovative instruments, says Ahren Lester

DNB, SEB and Nordea among biggest Scandinavian fossil fuel lenders

Scandinavian banks DNB, SEB and Nordea are the three largest lenders to the fossil fuel industry in the region, according to a report by BankTrack.

Social surge helps 2020 sustainable bond issuance to double

After a record-breaking $600 billion sustainable bond issuance in 2020 in which diversification beyond green bonds gathered pace, expectations are high that the momentum will be carried into 2021. Ahren Lester reports

Banks face 'risk of errors' in applying EU Taxonomy

An investigation by the European Banking Federation (EBF) and UNEP FI into the impact of the EU Taxonomy on retail and corporate banking found that its complexity leads to a risk of errors when applying it.

News Round Up: ACCA, Ban Ki-moon, SEB, and more

Concern as EU Taxonomy proposals diverge from TEG recommendations

The EU's trail blazing sustainability taxonomy passed another milestone, with the publication of the draft technical criteria, reports Ahren Lester. But divergences from the expert recommendations show that significant challenges face the closely watched 'green' list

SEBI sets up Indian social stock exchange 'technical group'

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has established a 'technical group' to develop a national social stock exchange, that will enable for-profit and non-profit investors to allocate to social impact opportunities.

Kommuninvest prepares social impact loans, eyes social bond

Sweden's Kommuninvest has established a 'committee on social sustainability' to examine applications for loans for investments in housing, healthcare, sports, education and culture.