Ahren Lester

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up: Noreco, Symrise, Sucafina, Canary Wharf ... and more

Setting science-based target for Total bond plan 'not easy', Pouyanné says

The boss of French oil major Total said the company is working hard to find a Paris Agreement-aligned target for its sustainability-linked bonds, but that the process is "not easy" because of the politics inherent in climate scenarios and the "religious" approach adopted by NGOs.

Bond round-up: Amazon, Germany, Westpac, AIB, JSW Energy, EQT, Rexel ... and more

German 30-year green bond reports deeper 'greenium' amid investor demand

The first 30-year green bond issued by Germany reported a deeper 'greenium' than previous shorter-dated notes, as investor demand sent the order book to more than six times the offered amount.

Credit investors must drive ESG differentiation as post-QE influence grows

The differentiation in the credit spread performance between environmental, social and governance (ESG) leaders and laggards is currently limited, but Aviva Investors expects this to increase as quantitative easing (QE) programmes wind down.

Germany mandates 30-year green bond ahead of planned May issue

Germany has mandated six banks as lead managers for its first 30-year green bond, expected to be issued later in May.

Transition bonds may 'not survive' amid lacklustre adoption

The future of 'transition' bonds as a separate label remains uncertain, as market experts questioned the validity of the instrument, despite acknowledging the importance of the sustainable bond market supporting the shift to a low-carbon economy.

ESG 'rapidly evolving' in cat bond market despite lack of deals

Willis Re Securities' Quentin Perrot tells Ahren Lester that 2021 could finally see the emergence of ESG-labelled cat bonds, as the insurance-linked security market increasingly takes its potential seriously

ICMA confirms further transition finance guidance 'underway'

The International Capital Market Association (ICMA) has confirmed that work to provide further guidance on its climate transition finance handbook is "underway," with the first update expected in June.

NAB faces flak over Port of Newcastle sustainability-linked loan

National Australia Bank (NAB) has faced criticism after it helped lead a sustainability-linked loan and green loan to the Port of Newcastle (PON) in Australia - which facilitates the largest coal export throughput in the world - with one campaigner arguing that it also raises questions about the validity of NAB's green bonds.