Sustainable Debt

'Next gen' EU GBS frameworks 'really need to go into the weeds,' says NatWest

The "next generation" of green bonds incorporating the EU Green Bond Standard (EU GBS) requirements will demand "significant effort" from issuers that could slow the progress in developing frameworks and then issuing bonds under the landmark standard, according to NatWest.

Jamaican sustainable bond listing framework on track for September

The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) expects to finalise its framework for issuers to list sustainable bonds by the end of September, as it continues it work by publishing a guide to issuing these labelled instruments.

'Not credible' to run transition funds from third-party data, says MetLife IM

It is "not credible" for investment managers to run a transition investment strategy using third-party data vendors rather than using in-house research, according to MetLife Investment Management (MetLife IM).

Sustainable Debt Round-up: Japan, Masdar, First Abu Dhabi Bank ... and more

SLLP consider formalising 'sleeping SLL' guardrails

The Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles (SLLP) are preparing to formalise treatment of so-called 'sleeping SLLs' in its upcoming revision, including formalising "guardrails" to ensure these contested but "useful tools" are credible.

'Probably the most beautiful bond we have ever seen'

The Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute (AFII) has argued that sovereign issuers should develop a sustainability-linked bond (SLB) in twin-bond format, arguing this would "probably be the most beautiful bond we have ever seen".

NatWest: Investors 'increasingly' asking for blue and nature bond deals

Investors are increasingly asking NatWest to specifically bring nature-focused and 'blue' bond deals to market, but despite being "meaningful" themes in the sustainable bond market they are still not effectively being pointed out.

EU GBS: 58% of sustainable bond frameworks since 2023 meet standard

Nearly three-fifths of the green and sustainability bond frameworks published since the start of 2023 'could claim alignment' with the rigorous requirements under the EU Green Bond Standard (EU GBS), according to MainStreet Partners.

Rakbank raises $600m from 'milestone' social bond debut

United Arab Emirates (UAE) lender Rakbank has raised $600 million from its debut social bond, which is the first public social bond issued in the Middle East.

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).

CA-CIB issues debut 'Sustainability-linked Loan Bond'

French lender Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank (CA-CIB) has launched a JPY3 billion ($19 million) bond focused on financing a portfolio of sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) following a detailed set of 'best-in-class' practices.

Masdar raises $1bn from second green bond

United Arab Emirates (UAE) renewable energy firm Masdar has raised $1 billion from its second green bond, a year after the state-owned firm made its green bond debut.

S&P extends 'shades of green' to transition plan assessments

S&P Global Ratings has extended its 'shades of green' methodology for judging labelled bonds to assess the credibility of companies' climate transition plans, with the launch of a product it said would help companies attract "transition finance".