Ahren Lester

ICMA Principles to prioritise work on transition, sustainable fintech

The executive committee (ExCom) of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA)-administered Principles has introduced financial technology (fintech) and digitalisation as a key priority for its work over the next year...

Barclays: 'Practical' target timing factor at play in SLB issuance decline

Barclays argues "more practical" considerations around corporate sustainability target timelines have played a material role in the sharp sustainability-linked bond (SLB) issuance decline in recent years, but this headwind could become a tailwind as we approach 2025.

Canada to re-open second green bond this week

Canada has announced plans to tap its second sovereign green bond this week as it looks to raise a further CAD4 billion ($2.9 billion) from its programme by the end of March.

Ontario: Sustainable bond market is 'lightyears' ahead of where it was 10 years ago

The ground-breaking provincial green bond issuer reflects on the growing sophistication of the market over the past decade. Ahren Lester reports

Arab African International Bank plans $500m sustainability bond debut

NYC readies largest social bond issuance

ICMA 'best practice' sustainable commercial paper guidance 'positive step' for market

The International Capital Market Association (ICMA) has published an initial "best practice" report on the growing €300 billion ($330 billion) sustainable commercial paper (CP) market, with hopes that the additional guidance can help stimulate greater interest in the instruments.

Metlen launches second €500m green bond

ESMA fund naming rules 'unfortunate' for green bond transition impact

The sustainable fund naming rules proposed by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) need to improve in their handling of labelled sustainable bonds, as it currently has an "unfortunate" impact on using these instruments for transition finance.

'Are green bonds the appropriate place for early-stage technology investment?'

AXA Investment Managers has argued that research and development (R&D) investment into emerging green and transition technologies should not be a too large element of green bond allocation, as the bond markets are maybe not the most appropriate place for these riskier investments.