Ahren Lester

Japfa: SLBs need to offer issuers 'more carrot than stick'

A ground-breaking sustainability-linked bond (SLB) issuer has hit back against investor demands for larger penalties for missing targets associated with the performance-based instrument, arguing that the market needs to offer "more carrot than stick" for issuers.

North Macedonia, Carbonaires launch public-private carbon market partnership

Pattern Energy signs record-breaking $8.8bn green loan

US renewable energy developer Pattern Energy has secured $8.8 billion of green loan facilities as part of a financing deal for its SunZia wind power infrastructure project, with the deal the largest green loan transaction to date.

Denmark: Green bonds are leading to green dogma

Greenium is 'natural course' for green bonds, but is not the objective, Simon Hajaj Ruby Harmat tells Ahren Lester

Romania launches green bond framework ahead of debut

Romania has published its green bond framework ahead of making its market debut, with initial discussions with investors on the inaugural sovereign green bond starting this week.

Germany plans €19bn green bond issuance in 2024

Germany is planning to raise up to €19 billion ($21 billion) from green bonds in 2024 - a target which, if achieved, would increase the amount the sovereign raises through green issues for the fifth year in a row.

EU green building label deal avoids 'bad taste' in green bond market - but delays harmonisation

A loophole introduced to the proposed harmonisation of the EU Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regime for buildings has prevented a "bad taste" among investors regarding some bank green bonds, but retains fragmented 'green' building designations, ABN Amro has said.

EU: Green bond issuance to 'gather pace' in 2024 after slow start

The EU expects to accelerate its green bond issuance in 2024 following revisions to member states' investment plans, after the massive green bond programme fell behind its targeted share of total borrowing by the bloc.

EU building energy performance deal is 'game-changer' for renovation green bonds

The draft final agreement on the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) could trigger a "renovation wave" among European bank green bonds, according to Dutch lender ABN Amro.

Fitch: Social to rise up the sustainable bond agenda in 2024

Nature-related sustainable bond issuance is set to give social co-benefits greater prominence in 2024, Sustainable Fitch says. Ahren Lester reports