Ahren Lester

Gabon deal shows rise of nature bond conversions

The Gabon blue bond is the third debt-for-nature deal of this type signed in the last year, boosting confidence these transactions can be scaled. Ahren Lester writes

Gabon secures ground-breaking $500m debt-for-nature blue bond

Gabon has issued a $500 million blue bond to fund a debt conversion which will unlock more than $160 million of funding for ocean conservation projects, becoming the first issuer of such a deal in mainland Africa and on public bond markets.

European insurers 'shun green bonds,' according to study

Research has suggested European insurers surprisingly "shun green bonds" as investments, leaving mutual and pension funds as the "preferred habitat" for the sustainability-focused fixed income instrument.

ESG private credit reporting project aims to bolster SFDR alignment

The ESG Integrated Disclosure Project (ESG IDP) has welcomed the "positive reaction" from loan market participants to its template for private credit sustainability reporting, as it looks to bolster alignment with the EU SFDR.

Hungary 'looking into' sustainability-linked, social bonds after green update

After updating its green bond framework, Hungary is considering expanding into other sovereign sustainable bond labels. Ahren Lester reports

KBRA criticises 'irresponsible' ESG scoring in credit ratings amid S&P reversal

KBRA has criticised the "irresponsible" and "arbitrary" scoring of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in credit ratings after rival agency S&P removed its own scoring system from its reports.

People moves, 11 August: Barclays, Finnish church pension fund, GSIA, Verra ... and more

Australian regulator launches 'greenwashing' case against Active Super

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has started legal proceedings against the AUD26 billion ($17 billion) Active Super which allege "misleading conduct and misrepresentations" around its responsible investment fund.

Loan round-up: Queenstown Airport, Renewi, Lumos Fiber ... and more

CommBank oil and gas funding exit sends 'stark warning' to industry

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) has ruled out direct finance for any new or expanded oil and gas projects in its updated climate policy, described by one campaigner as putting the lender "well above its peers" on climate.