Ahren Lester

ABN Amro: EU GBS 'costs to outweigh benefits' - for now

Uptake of the EU green bond (EuGB) label under the EU Green Bond Standard (EU GBS) is likely to be "very limited" as the "additional costs will outweigh the benefits," according to Dutch lender ABN Amro.

'Transition loan label needs stricter covenants to add value'

A potential transition loan label needs to be "more constraining for borrowers" around sustainable delivery and performance to really add value to the existing labelled loan market, according to a major private debt investment manager.

Fish farmer SalMar readies second green bond

Financials lull expected to end euro sustainable bond 'comeback'

A decline in issuance by financials during 2025 is expected to result in contraction of the euro-denominated sustainable bond market, ending a "comeback" year in 2024 when it returned to growth.

'Practical' Rwanda sustainable bond approach amid taxonomy roll-out

The Rwanda Capital Market Authority (CMA) is taking an "impactful" but "practical" approach to developing its sustainable bond guidelines, as the East African country continues to develop its green finance taxonomy.

'Milestone' year ahead for floundering sustainability-linked bonds

The next 18 months will be a critical period for the sustainability-linked bond (SLB) market with a flurry of target observation dates, after the performance-based instrument recorded another dramatic fall in annual issuance in 2024.

Carrefour SLB six-times oversubscribed

Climate adaptation 'needs more guidance' for sustainable bonds

Adapation-focused sustainable bonds are expected to accelerate in 2025, but Sustainable Fitch argues more guidance is needed for it to fully emerge front of stage. Ahren Lester reports

IFC raises $2bn from largest social bond

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has issued its largest ever social bond, with the $2 billion deal also attracting the largest ever orderbook for the instrument from the development finance institution.

China plans debut sovereign green bond in 2025

China is planning to issue its inaugural sovereign green bond in 2025 which would leave only a handful of G20 countries yet to issue a sustainable bond.