Ahren Lester

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up: Aligned, Farrer Park, StarHub, FENC and Iberdrola

Most financial institutions don't push for ambitious EU sustainable finance strategy

Many financial institutions are failing to support an ambitious EU sustainable finance strategy, according to a report on lobbying by NGO InfluenceMap, with just a handful supporting and actively engaging with the European Commission's policy.

IFC tightens coal phase-out conditions on financial clients

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has strengthened its approach to thermal coal investment exposure among its financial institution clients, announcing it will not make equity investments in firms that do not have a phase-out plan in place.

Blackstone announces on-site sustainable energy infrastructure venture

Private equity firm Blackstone has launched a company to invest in on-site sustainable energy infrastructure assets for companies, after securing a $250 million capital commitment.

EU Taxonomy poses 'existential threat' to voluntary standards

The EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities represents an "existential threat" to voluntary climate disclosure regimes, with the EU guidelines well-placed to become the default global standard.

IMF publicly supports EU proposal to apply carbon pricing to imports

The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has backed proposals by the EU to introduce carbon levies to imports if major emitting countries are unable to agree a minimum carbon price.

EUA prices 'could soar to €51 by 2030' after EU raises climate ambition

A raised EU target to cut emissions by 2030 could send average carbon prices 55% higher than previously forecast over the next decade, hitting a new record of €50 by 2030, according to a report by Refinitiv.

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up, 16 September: FRV and Wilmar International

EU targets €225bn green bond issuance amid strengthened climate push

The EU said it intends to raise 30% of its €750 billion ($890 billion) Next Generation EU (NGEU) recovery fund through the issuance of green bonds, as it boosted its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions target for 2030.

New Zealand first to make climate disclosures compulsory for financial firms

New Zealand has become the first country to make it mandatory for financial firms to report on climate risks, described as a "visionary" step by one of the architects of the Paris Agreement.