Ahren Lester

Ontario: Sustainable bond market is 'lightyears' ahead of where it was 10 years ago

The ground-breaking provincial green bond issuer reflects on the growing sophistication of the market over the past decade. Ahren Lester reports

Arab African International Bank plans $500m sustainability bond debut

NYC readies largest social bond issuance

ICMA 'best practice' sustainable commercial paper guidance 'positive step' for market

The International Capital Market Association (ICMA) has published an initial "best practice" report on the growing €300 billion ($330 billion) sustainable commercial paper (CP) market, with hopes that the additional guidance can help stimulate greater interest in the instruments.

Metlen launches second €500m green bond

ESMA fund naming rules 'unfortunate' for green bond transition impact

The sustainable fund naming rules proposed by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) need to improve in their handling of labelled sustainable bonds, as it currently has an "unfortunate" impact on using these instruments for transition finance.

'Are green bonds the appropriate place for early-stage technology investment?'

AXA Investment Managers has argued that research and development (R&D) investment into emerging green and transition technologies should not be a too large element of green bond allocation, as the bond markets are maybe not the most appropriate place for these riskier investments.

Step-down SLBs a 'hard sell' for investors - but 'step-backs' have potential

Sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) with a 'step-down' coupon on achieving certain targets are a "hard sell" for investors, an Environmental Finance event heard - but 'step-back' coupon deals could prove more popular.

BlackRock: AI is 'big help' for sustainable bond impact attribution

Early testing of artificial intelligence (AI) by BlackRock sustainable bond analysts has suggested that it is a significant help in correctly determining impact attribution to the use-of-proceeds of these bonds.

'Tide has definitely shifted on nuclear' in green finance

Attitudes towards the place of nuclear power in sustainable finance markets have "definitely shifted" in the last couple of years, an Environmental Finance event has heard - but their place in green bonds remains a "separation point" in the market.