Ahren Lester

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.

Bond round-up: Akbank, Tier 2 spotlight, IDB Invest ... and more

Surprise as S&P drop ESG scores from credit ratings

The retreat from ESG scoring from the credit rating agency has flagged concerns around ESG transparency and the impact of anti-ESG sentiment, Ahren Lester writes

BlackRock targets NZD2bn New Zealand climate infrastructure fund

BlackRock is preparing to launch a NZD2 billion ($1.2 billion) New Zealand-focused climate infrastructure fund, which the US asset manager said is expected to be the "largest single-nation decarbonisation investment initiative" to date.

Barclays: ESG fund flows remain 'strong' despite tough 2023

Barclays said that fund flows into ESG-labelled fixed income and equity funds remained "strong" compared to the wider market, with euro-denominated corporate bond funds performing particularly well.

Hong Kong to prioritise ISSB integration, SME climate data

Major Hong Kong regulators and agencies said that integrating the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards and developing a climate-related data portal for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are among its key sustainable finance priorities.

30% of sustainability-linked bond targets 'on track to fail'

Up to 30% of all sustainability-linked bond (SLB) targets on the market are "on track to fail," which MainStreet Partners said is getting close to "alarming" levels for issuers and investors.

SIX Swiss Exchange crosses 100 green bond milestone

US IRA set to 'trigger' global sustainable investment

The huge US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) should prove a "catalyst" for global sustainable investment, as other regions respond to the anti-competitive US government support with their own programmes, Standard Chartered has said.

Loan round-up: ESR, Urban Logistics REIT, EDP ... and more