Ahren Lester

Deutsche Börse buys majority stake in ISS

German financial exchange operator Deutsche Börse has acquired a majority stake in Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), valuing the corporate governance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) data provider at over $2.2 billion.

Sustainable bond 'greenium' expands 'significantly' in 2020

Investors have been willing to pay a significant 'greenium' for green, social and sustainability (GSS) bonds in 2020, in contrast to 2019, according to a report from BNP Paribas.

UK government still weighing carbon tax instead of ETS after Brexit

The UK government is continuing to consider a controversial carbon tax after leaving the EU, instead of setting up a domestic cap-and-trade carbon emissions market, denying this would damage its international standing on climate change action.

$250bn green bond issuance expected in 2020, says Moody's

News round-up: Nordic investors set up energy transition fund, WTW buys Acclimatise ... and more

Social bonds: powered up by the pandemic

ESG in Fixed Income Europe 2020 conference: The explosion of issuance of social bonds in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the potential of these flexible instruments.

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up: Vattenfall, DSB and PSA Marine

Barclays criticised for fossil fuel lending growth

Barclays has been criticised by campaigners for increasing the amount it has lent to fossil fuel firms in 2020, just months after it pledged to become net-zero emissions across its lending portfolio by 2050.

Bond round-up: UK, Germany, CaixaBank, VTG, Orsted ... and more

Carney's voluntary carbon market taskforce launches consultation on proposals

A Mark Carney-initiated taskforce focused on rapidly scaling up global voluntary carbon markets has opened its initial report on forming a global carbon market, including creating clear core carbon principles and carbon spot and future contracts.