The Netherlands’ state-owned banking giant, ABN AMRO, with a balance sheet total of EUR 410 billion, announced today that it has become a Climate Bonds Partner.
The bank has sustainability anchored in its strategic priorities. It recently issued the largest Certified Climate Bond to date – EUR 500 million – with the proceeds allocated to loans towards low carbon residential mortgages, commercial real estate and solar panels.
Joop Hessels, head of Green Bond Origination said:
“We’re enthusiastic about the green bonds market, which we are discussing with many of our clients. We also see great potential for green property bonds where we did some groundwork.”
“Investors and NGOs have made clear that an independent standard on what is considered green is supporting the trust and transparency in the green bond market. The efforts made by the Climate Bond Initiative to define standards for an increasing number of assets are instrumental to the growth of the market, and we’re looking to support that work.”
With respect to real estate, ABN AMRO’s head of Real Estate, Rutger Schuur, explained:
“ABN AMRO wants to accelerate the transition to sustainable commercial property in the Netherlands.”
“Sustainable commercial property is future-proof, supports energy transition and anticipates social and technological trends. By the end of 2017, we want to transform over 300,000 square metres of property, have 30 per cent of our portfolio consist of ‘A’ energy labels and finance some thirty Green Landmarks.”
Climate Bonds CEO Sean Kidney said:
“ABN AMRO has a made a huge commitment to growing the sustainable property market, and to ensuring that environmental objectives can be met alongside financial objectives. We are privileged to have them join us as a Climate Bonds Partner.”
About Climate Bonds Initiative: The Climate Bonds Initiative is an investor-focused not-for-profit. It is the only organization in the world working exclusively to mobilise the USD 100 trillion bond market for climate change solutions.
NGOs, banks, investors and governments are invited to join as Climate Bond Partners to help rapidly grow a market of green and climate bonds. Click here for a full list of Partners.
Partner roles:
- Develop initiatives to grow investment in climate solutions.
- Participate in different market development committees.
- Help define policy agendas for sector and country programs.
Partners receive:
- Access to bonds data, including the latest green and climate bonds, underwriter details and new investment areas.
- Market insights, tailored staff briefings and support to make the most of opportunities in the growing green bonds market.
- Opportunities to connect with policy-makers, banks, investors and other Partners.
See what other banking Partners like UniCredit, HSBC and Barclays say.
