Ahren Lester

'Why wouldn't you want green bonds as a core bond allocation?'

The time is right for asset managers to promote green bond funds as core allocations beyond sustainability-focused clients after significant changes in the depth and dynamics of the market, according to BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM).

'Blue bonds are next big wave in sustainable finance'

'Blue bonds' are the most international and resilient sustainable finance asset class in a politically charged world, and highly scalable even among corporates, according to Emirates NBD.

Italy attracts €115bn orderbook for first green bond of 2026

Italy has raised €5 billion ($5.8 billlion) from its first sovereign green bond since updating its framework, with its first green transaction of 2026 securing investor interest more than 23 times over the offer amount.

Sustainable debt market contracts by up to 20% in 2025

Sustainable bond and loan volumes are estimated to have fallen by a fifth to around $1.6 trillion in 2025, but innovation continues drive optimism.

Chile issues ground-breaking biodiversity-focused sovereign SLB

The sovereign sustainable bond pioneer takes sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) into a bold, biodiversity-focused direction. Ahren Lester reports

Standard Chartered raises €1bn from first dedicated green bond

Standard Chartered raised €1 billion ($1.2 billion) from its inaugural green bond in what the emerging markets-focused bank said was an "important milestone" in strengthening its commitment to regular sustainable bond issuance.

Emirates NBD issues pioneering $1bn blue, green bond

Emirates NBD has raised $1 billion from a dual-tranche 'blue' and green bond transaction, which demonstrates the growing demand for blue finance.

Konica Minolta publishes debut sustainability-linked bond framework

Al Rajhi Bank launches second social sukuk

Al Rajhi Bank has hired 11 banks to manage a planned second social sukuk issuance, four months after the Saudi Arabian lender debuted its first dedicated social deal.

AIIB launches $1bn sustainability bond after record 2025

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has hired three banks to manage its first Sustainable Development Bond (SDB) of 2026 after the major issuer raised a record $7.7 billion from sustainability bonds in 2025.