News

• Toyota increases size of asset-backed green bond, plans more

  20 March 2014

  Toyota's pioneering issue of 'green' asset-backed securities has been increased in size to $1.75 billion from a planned $1.25 billion, in response to strong investor demand, and further similar issues are likely, a senior executive said.

• Unilever issues £250m green bond

  20 March 2014

  Consumer goods giant Unilever has issued its first green bond, raising £250 million ($413 million) to help it invest in efficient factories.

• John Laing says it will hit £160m renewables IPO target

  20 March 2014

  UK investment company John Laing took a step closer to floating its renewables fund on the London Stock Exchange, after it said there was sufficient demand from investors for it to hit its target of raising £160 million ($262 million).

• GreenStream completes first China energy efficiency project

  19 March 2014

  Asset manager GreenStream has completed its first energy efficiency project in China, hailing the development a milestone for its ambitious expansion plans in the country.

• EIB launches its first green Samurai bond

  18 March 2014

  The European Investment Bank (EIB) has issued a ¥5 billion ($49.3m) Climate Awareness Bond (CAB), believed to be the first ever green bond in 'Samurai' format.

• Solar helps HSBC Climate Change Index outperform

  18 March 2014

  Strong performance from renewables stocks has helped HSBC's Climate Change Index (CCI) outperform wider markets in 2014, with its solar index up 23% so far this year.

• First index launched for green bonds market

  17 March 2014

  An index to track the fledgling green bond market has been launched by German index provider Solactive.

• New Forests raises A$707m for new fund

  17 March 2014

  Australian fund manager New Forests has closed its latest fund at A$707 million ($642 million), which will be invested in timber plantations and associated infrastructure.

• Zoe Knight promoted to replace Nick Robins

  17 March 2014

  Zoe Knight has been appointed head of HSBC's Climate Change Centre of Excellence. She replaces Nick Robins who left the bank to become a co-director of the UN Environmental Programme's (UNEP) Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System.

• Calvert launches resource efficiency strategy

  17 March 2014

  Sustainability specialist Calvert Investments has announced a new strategy for using resource efficiency to identify investment opportunities in large-cap firms.