Wilfried Bolt, PGGM Investments

Wilfried Bolt, Senior Investment Manager, PGGM Investments

The future of sovereign green bonds

Late 2016 saw the beginning of sovereign green bond issues in Europe with Poland and France coming to market with big-ticket bonds. Several other countries are understood to be considering sovereign green bonds as governments look to play bigger roles in mobilising green investments. This panel will examine the potential for sovereign green bonds in Europe and discuss how this market is expected to develop in the short and long-term. Speakers will also discuss the key challenges that come with sovereign bonds and speak of the role of governments more broadly in promoting green bond issues.

  • What are the key drivers for a country to issue a sovereign green bond? What made the sovereign green bonds issued to date a success?
  • How can governments gear up to issue a sovereign green bond?
  • What is the potential for this market to grow – will existing issuers issue further sovereign green bonds and which countries could be next?
  • What type of investors make up the sovereign green bond investor universe and how could this change in the future?
  • What are the main challenges associated with sovereign green bonds?
  • What types of broader environmental policies and support mechanisms can governments put in place to boost green bond issues?

Speakers:
Wilfried Bolt
, Senior Investment Manager, PGGM Investments
Sean Kidney
, CEO and co-founder, Climate Bonds Initiative
Alexandra Bonnet 
, Deputy Head, Economic Department, Ministry for Ecology and Social Transition, Republic of France
Jochen Krimphoff
, Deputy Director - Green Finance, WWF-France

ModeratorTanguy Claquin, head of sustainable banking, Credit Agricole CIB