Ahren Lester

CBI optimistic of 'really quick uptake' for climate resilience taxonomy

The Climate Bonds Resilience Taxonomy aims to feed the growing appetite for climate adaptation and resilience investments. Ahren Lester reports

Sanoma prepares rare €150m Nordic social bond debut

Finnish media and educational publishing firm Sanoma is planning to raise up to €150 million ($166 million) from its debut social bond, which could make it only the seventh social bond issuer in the Nordic region.

CBI to launch climate resilience taxonomy this month

The Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) will launch its initial Climate Resilience Taxonomy on 25 September with draft criteria, ahead of detailed thematic criteria being developed in the next phase of the work.

Letshego issues first Namibian social bond

The Namibian arm of pan-African lender Letshego has raised NAD260 million ($15 million) from its debut social bond, which is also the first social note from a Namibian issuer.

Financoop readies $20m social bond debut

ASEAN public sector 'critical' to energising local sustainable bond markets

Public sector issuers in Asia have a "significantly limited" presence in sustainable bond markets, but a think tank said sovereign and government-related bonds are "critical" to energising local sustainable bond issuance.

Landmark Slovenian social bond sends 'Samurai' sustainable bond market to record highs

Slovenia has raised JPY50 billion ($345 million) from a dual-tranche Japanese yen-denominated social bond, which is the first 'Samurai' social bond issued by a sovereign.

Costa Rica 'almost done' with framework ahead of 2025 sustainable bond debut

Costa Rica is planning to issue its debut sovereign sustainable bond in the first half of 2025, but the Latin American country is not currently looking to use the sustainability-linked bond format like some regional peers.

Bank of China raises CNY2.5bn from ground-breaking 'SGS' sustainable bond

Bank of China (BoC) has raised CNY2.5 billion ($351 million) from the first 'sustainability-linked, green, and social loan' (SGS) bond issued under its innovative framework which follows the publication of recent ground-breaking market guidance.

Indian sustainable bond guidance extension 'necessary, but not sufficient'

The sustainable bond guidance extension by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is a "necessary, but not sufficient" condition for stimulating more issuance in the country - but it has the potential to "open up" transition finance in the country. Ahren Lester reports