Ahren Lester

Energy efficiency outperforms amid 'enduring appeal'

Resource efficiency-focused investments have outperformed since the start of 2020, WHEB Asset Management tells Ahren Lester, as customers and investors recognise their "enduring appeal" despite the economic shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic

Investor support for Mizuho Financial climate resolution grows

Mizuho Financial faces growing pressure as more investors back a shareholder resolution calling on the bank to disclose its climate risks and publish a plan to align investments to the Paris Agreement.

Cleantech Solar secures $75 million green loan

Cleantech Solar has signed a $75 million green loan with the Singapore branch of Dutch lender ING Bank, the largest Asian green facility for commercial and industrial rooftop solar projects.

Olam signs $250m sustainability-linked loan

Olam has signed sustainability-linked revolving credit facility (RCF) worth $250 million, the third sustainability-linked loan the food and agriculture firm has signed over the last two years.

Soilbuild REIT signs maiden SGD80m green loan

A Singaporean real estate investment trust (REIT) signed its inaugural green loan, worth SGD80 million ($57 million) with RHB Bank Berhad and OCBC Bank.

EU launches Sustainable Finance Platform after Taxonomy approval

The European Commission has officially launched a new expert group that will advise the bloc on its final EU Taxonomy criteria for 'green' activities and a potential expansion to cover social objectives and 'brown' activities.

PE interest in ESG-linked financing has 'risen significantly'

The interest from private equity firms towards environmental, social and governance (ESG)-linked financing has been "completely reset" in recent months, BNP Paribas told Environmental Finance.

EU Taxonomy secures final approval from Parliament

The EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities has secured final approval from the European Parliament after two years of negotiation, ahead of official standards coming into force from 2022.

Bond round-up: Unédic, Snam, Castle Peak, Northern States Power, Symbiotics ... and more

CapitaLand signs SGD300m sustainability-linked loan

Real estate firm CapitaLand has signed a SGD300 million ($216 million) sustainability-linked loan (SLL), taking its total sustainable financing to more than SGD2.7 billion in under two years.