Ahren Lester

Articles by Ahren Lester

  • Sustainability-linked shipping finance ready to set sail

    18 December 2023

    Shipping firms could turn to more sustainability-linked finance after the IMO delivered a long-awaited net zero transition plan. Ahren Lester reports

  • NMB Bank raises $157m from largest sustainability bond in East Africa

    15 December 2023

    Tanzanian lender NMB Bank has raised $157 million from a significantly upsized dual-currency sustainability bond, making it the largest sustainability bond issued in East Africa to date.

  • Japan confirms February transition bond auction debuts

    15 December 2023
  • HKMA confirms it is 'fine-tuning' final Hong Kong taxonomy

    14 December 2023
  • Sustainable bond market returns to growth in 2023

    14 December 2023

    Sustainable bond issuance in 2023 has surpassed the $925 billion total raised in the whole of 2022, as strong sovereign activity more than offset contracting corporate volumes.

  • Bank of America, BNP Paribas lead 2023 sustainable bond underwriting tables

    13 December 2023

    Bank of America and BNP Paribas are well placed to secure the top two spots in the sustainable bond lead manager tables for 2023, currently nudging 2022's top underwriter JP Morgan into third place.

  • IIX raises $100m from 'largest' gender bond

    12 December 2023

    Sustainable investment firm Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) has raised $100 million from its largest gender-focused sustainability bond, which is also believed to be one of the largest 'orange' bonds to date.

  • Climate Action Data publishes free carbon credit data tool

    12 December 2023
  • Hong Kong green taxonomy due 'very soon'

    12 December 2023

    The first version of the Hong Kong green taxonomy is due to be published "very soon" with the expectation it will be expanded into transition activities, according to a senior official at the financial regulator.

  • European sovereign sustainable bond issuance to 'stall or fall' in 2024

    11 December 2023

    European sovereign sustainable bond issuance is forecast to "stall" or decrease in 2024 amid a series of political and financial headwinds, with the EU also expected to fall short of its own green bond issuance plans.