Asian sustainable bond issuers are showing a "very good mindset" by considering setting up distinct transition finance frameworks from their green, social, and sustainability bond frameworks, according to Société Générale (SocGen).
SocGen Asia-Pacific debt capital market solution and advisory head Keenan Cabrol told Environmental Finance there is a "very good mindset" in Asia which has clearly recognised the issue facing critical transition – but not unequivocally 'green' – investment.
"Most [sustainable bond framework] discussions in Europe are on how to provide a best-in-class [green] framework," he said. "Whereas, here in Asia, the discussion is more that we know what green is and that there is appetite for that. But then what about the rest [of our assets]?"
"And, in that discussion, a lot of issuers are thinking about setting up transition frameworks separate from their green and social bond frameworks – which I think is a great idea."
He said there has been a mix of issuers who are looking into the possibility of putting out a dedicated 'transition' bond framework – including financial institutions, corporates and development banks.
"[Asian issuers] recognise they have a lot of assets which are not 100% green, but they are helpful to the transition," he said. "So, how do we finance them? Should we? And how do we attach a label to them? There is that reflection going on in the background, which I think is very positive and shows that there is a very good mindset here that realises there is an issue: we know what green is, but what about what is not green [but important to the transition]?"
Of course, he said that the bank often recommends issuers to have a single framework which encompasses as many sustainable categories as possible, as this makes the job of developing and updating the frameworks easier.
"But perhaps for the more difficult categories – such as transition themes – it makes sense to have a separate framework," he said.
"Ultimately, what is important is the way you communicate with investors. If you come out with a new transaction and you clearly state that this is a use-of-proceeds green transaction that exclusively goes towards those well-defined green-eligible categories, then it would not be a problem if it is the same framework [as transition assets]."
Take a free trial
Environmental Finance has provided essential sustainable finance news and analysis for more than 25 years.
Whether transition categories are in a single integrated framework or in a dedicated one, however, investors do want to ensure that this clarity is maintained.
"We have not heard any investors say that if there is a transition category in [a sustainable bond] framework, they won't invest in any bonds from that framework," he said. "And I don't think that would be the case. But it is about how clear and transparent you are to investors when you come out with a new transaction."