2020 was another record-breaking year for the green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked (GSSS) bond market.
According to figures from the Environmental Finance Bond Database, total GSSS bond issuance crossed $600 billion in 2020 – nearly double the $326 billion issued in 2019. Growth in the GSSS bond market in 2020 accelerated on the 53% year-on-year growth reported in 2019 compared to the $214 billion issued in 2018.
Social bonds saw record growth, jumping nine-fold to $165 billion. Driven on by the demands created by the Covid-19 pandemic, social bonds supported projects to get individuals, businesses and economies back on their feet. Sustainability bond issuance also tripled to $140 billion in 2020.
This growing diversification of issuance is evident from the diversity of different voices and contributors to Environmental Finance's Sustainable Bond Insight 2021, with issuers, investors, lead managers, ESG service providers and law firms providing their analysis of the events of 2020 and predictions for what is ahead.
The free-to-download report features infographics and data on the main trends in the GSSS markets in 2020 and includes brand new chapters and infographics dedicated to these new directions for the market.
Click here to download Environmental Finance's Sustainable Bond Insight for free