Asia Pacific

Japanese transition bonds likely to 'move closer to green'

The use of proceeds for the ground-breaking Japanese sovereign transition bond programme is likely to become more conventionally 'green' rather than move more into the more contested 'transition' projects, according to the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA).

CBI certification 'very difficult' for Japanese transition bonds

Japan has confirmed it is not looking to certify its upcoming transition bonds with the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) due to challenges posed by its diverse framework, including around funding innovative start-ups.

Khan Bank to raise $130m from first social bond in Mongolia

Mongolian lender Khan Bank is preparing to raise up to $130 million from the first social bond from a Mongolian issuer.

Stewart Investors launches global emerging markets sustainability strategy

Stewart Investors has launched the Global Emerging Markets (ex-China) Leaders Sustainability Fund, an active, long-only equity strategy.

BII lends $20m to African payment processor

Blue Earth leads $29m for Indian grain commerce platform

'Stronger businesses case' needed for nature investments in India, says WEF

Mercedes-Benz issues first green asset-backed security

German firm Mercedes-Benz has raised CNY765 million ($105 million) from its first green asset-backed security (ABS), which is also believed to be the first instrument of this type from an overseas carmaker in the Chinese market.

Japan not currently seeking CBI certification for next transition bond

Japan is not currently looking to secure Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) certification for its transition bond issuance later in July. This follows the sovereign stepping back from the certification process for its third deal in May.

Japan: Australia 'should have issued a transition bond'

A senior Japanese government official said Australia should have pursued a 'transition bond' label for its sovereign sustainable bond programme as a way of encouraging key hard-to-abate sectors to start seriously thinking about their own transition.

Google invests in BlackRock-owned solar developer

First 'blue bond' in Vietnam issued

Southeast Asia Commercial Bank (SeABank) has raised $75 million from a sustainable bond which is the first in Vietnam to include a 'blue bond' tranche focused on sustainable marine and water projects.

Actis launches Asian 'green' data centre platform

BIS and MAS develop 'blueprint' for regulators' climate data platform

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have developed a 'blueprint' for a proposed climate data platform they said could help financial regulators understand emerging climate-related risks.

UOB, Singapore launch SME-focused sustainability-linked finance programme