Ahren Lester

Kenya steps closer to 'attractive' sovereign green bond debut

Kenya has taken a step closer to issuing its debut sovereign green bond after the government approved its framework, opening a path to becoming only the fifth African sovereign to issue a labelled sustainable bond.

Northvolt signs 'largest' European gigafactory green loan

Northvolt has secured a $5 billion green loan to expand capacity at its "circular" battery manufacturing site in Sweden. It is believed to be the largest green loan for a 'gigafactory' in Europe to date.

Oman publishes first Gulf State sustainable finance framework

The Sultanate of Oman has become the first Gulf sovereign to publish a framework which allows it to issue both green and social bonds and loans.

NIB raises NOK2.5bn from debut green bond of 2024

France launches €15bn green bond issuance plan

France will issue a new 25-year green bond in "coming days", as it kicks off a potential €15 billion ($16.4 billion) issuance programme for 2024, according to the country's treasury department.

Euro, US dollar sustainable bond liquidity diverges in 2023

The declining issuance of sustainable bonds in the US is leaving its mark on secondary market liquidity for the instruments, according to Barclays.

ESG resolution support among US asset managers slumps in 2023

Key environmental, social and governance (ESG) shareholder resolutions at US firms in 2023 were backed by just half of major US asset managers, according to Morningstar - significantly falling behind their European peers.

Loan round-up: China Oil and Gas, Iberdrola, Bahrain Steel ... and more

Sovereigns lead 2023 sustainable bond issuance back to growth

Resurgent green bond issuance and record-breaking activity from governments edged the sustainable bond market back close to $1 trillion in 2023, Ahren Lester reports

Iberdrola secures €300m EM-focused 'sustainability-linked green' loan

Iberdrola has signed a €300 million ($328 million) sustainability-linked green loan with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which will be used to finance renewable energy projects in coal-reliant emerging markets.