Ahren Lester

UK plans £15bn maiden green bond programme over next year

The UK government has announced it plans to raise at least £15 billion ($21 billion) from its maiden sovereign green bond programme over the next fiscal year, while also committing to report on its social impact.

UK government launches voluntary carbon offset working group

The UK government has launched a working group seeking to make the country a global market for "high quality voluntary carbon offsets," in a move described by campaigners as a backward step on climate action.

Bond round-up: Hong Kong, Ardagh Metal Packaging, Equinix, NatWest, Italy, Toyota ... and more

88% of investors keen on sustainability-linked bonds, despite greenwashing fears

The large majority of investors are investing, or considering investing, in sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), according to a survey by Natixis, despite many flagging the risk of the instruments being used for 'greenwashing'.

LGX adds section for 'pureplay' climate-aligned issuers

The Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX) has launched a dedicated section for climate-aligned issuers, regardless of whether they apply a label such as green, social, sustainability or sustainability-linked (GSSS) to their bonds.

S&P hopes ESG-focused US mid- and small-cap indexes will drive reporting

S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI) hopes that the launch of small- and mid-cap indexes to its environmental, social and governance (ESG)-focused range will help drive greater sustainability reporting and action among these smaller firms

US Fed doubts there will be a single "right" approach to climate-related risk

A governor of the US Federal Reserve said it was "unlikely" that there would be a single "right" approach to judging the financial impact of climate change for the central bank, instead encouraging market innovation on the topic.

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up: AB InBev, GLP update, Suzano, Thai Union, Enviva ... and more

BlackRock details 2021 climate engagement expectations

BlackRock has published its engagement expectations for companies related to climate risk and the transition to a low-carbon economy, as it more than doubles the target group of carbon-intensive companies on which its engagement will focus in 2021.

Bond round-up: Singapore, Unedic, JP Morgan, ADB, Goldman Sachs, H&M ... and more