Ahren Lester

Sustainable bond issuance could exceed $1trn in 2021, says S&P

Sustainable bond issuance could exceed $1 trillion in 2021 alone, according to S&P Global Ratings, potentially almost doubling the total recorded in 2020

UK urged to issue inaugural green bond with 2033 maturity

A majority of investors and banks have urged the UK to issue its maiden sovereign green bond with a 2033 maturity...

Sustainable bond issuance sets fresh record

2021 sustainable bond issuance has already surpassed the record-breaking 2020 total, supported by rising interest in sustainability and sustainability-linked bonds from corporate issuers. Ahren Lester reports

ECB could tilt bond purchases to Paris-aligned firms, says Schnabel

A senior European Central Bank (ECB) member said the bank could buy more bonds from firms committed to the Paris Agreement goals...

HSBC, Standard Chartered and Barclays provide $12bn in fossil fuel financing in 2021

HSBC, Standard Chartered and Barclays have supported a combined $12 billion in fossil fuel financing in the first six months of 2021, which campaigners said undermines the climate pledges made by the lenders ahead of the COP26 climate summit in the country later this year.

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up: Wood, Akbank, TIP, Encavis ... and more

Bond round-up: Pfizer, Principal Financial, Singapore NEA, Verditek, Baidu ... and more

Climate vulnerable countries face significant sovereign bond premium

BHP criticised as confirms oil and gas exit with Woodside deal

Pressure has been building on BHP to exit its fossil fuel assets, but its proposed deal to shift its oil and gas assets to Woodside has been criticised - and considered 'disastrous' for Woodside shareholders and the environment. Ahren Lester reports

BHP could benefit from ESG boost as the miner mulls oil and gas exit

Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP has announced it is considering exiting its oil and gas business, in a move that analysts believe could result in an environmental, social and governance (ESG) re-rating and rising interest from investors.