Ahren Lester

Mitsui OSK Lines to issue 'first' shipping firm blue bond

Japanese firm Mitsui OSK Lines plans to raise JPY10 billion ($70 million) through a blue bond in January, believed to be the first issued by a shipping firm using recent International Capital Market Association (ICMA) guidelines.

EBA proposes EU develops 'two-tier' green loan standard

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has proposed that the EU develops a voluntary EU Taxonomy-aligned EU green loan and mortgage standard similar to that for green bonds, but that a second non-taxonomy aligned tier should be allowed for a period of time.

Sustainability-linked shipping finance ready to set sail

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

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

HKMA confirms it is 'fine-tuning' final Hong Kong taxonomy

Sustainable bond market returns to growth in 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

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

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