Ahren Lester

A third of funds claim ESG characteristics, according to SFDR filings

Swiss firm Pictet Asset Management managed more than a tenth of total 'Article 9' fund assets in the EU during the first half of 2021, according to a report...

BNP Paribas launches €125m social bond fund

BNP Paribas has launched a €125 million ($140 million) social bond fund that also incorporates an innovative microcredit financing strategy.

Loan round-up: Cheniere Energy, Investec Bank, eQ Community ... and more

Bond round-up: Maersk, Hong Kong, EDF, Accor, Philippines, Singtel Optus ... and more

Hong Kong plans renminbi green bond to encourage mainland issuers

The Hong Kong government is currently planning to issue its debut renminbi-denominated green bond in order to encourage issuers from the Chinese mainland...

HSBC, Euronext launch 'first' biodiversity equity index

HSBC and European stock exchange operator Euronext have launched a biodiversity-screened equity index series.

IOSCO outlines 'milestone' ESG rating and data oversight recommendations

IOSCO has provided recommendations for securities regulators to strengthen their oversight of ESG ratings and data providers after "several areas of concern" were identified by market participants.

'Immense potential' for Russian sustainable bonds after taxonomy launch

There is "immense potential" for the growth of Russian sustainable bonds following the launch of the national taxonomy for green activities...

BlackRock: Sustainable asset pricing 'far from bubble territory'

Asset manager BlackRock said pricing of sustainable assets is "far from bubble territory" with plenty of scope for further outperformance as reallocation to sustainable financial products by investors accelerates in coming years.

Moody's: 'Very large overlap' between double materiality and financial materiality

Moody's Investors Service expects that there could be a "very large overlap" between double materiality and the financial materiality...