Switzerland joins as Climate Bonds Partner + announces Grant Funding for Climate Bond Standards Development. Wow! Danke! Merci! Grazie! Grazia!

The Swiss Government’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) confirmed today that it has joined as a Climate Bonds Partner — the first national government member of the Climate Bond Partners program.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs has also confirmed making a three year grant for the development of the Climate Bonds Standard, with the aim of promoting clear criteria for assets and projects that are eligible for funding with a Certified Climate Bond such as in the area of bioenergy, water infrastructure, agriculture, forestry or low carbon transport.

Liliana de Sá Kirchknopf, Head of Private Sector Development within the Economic Cooperation and Development Division at SECO said:

“Climate change is an enormous challenge worldwide, and addressing that challenge requires huge levels of financing. Climate bonds have the potential to make a major contribution to that financing.

“For the climate bond market to grow, investors need to have confidence in the green credentials of bonds. Climate Bond Standards play a vital role in ensuring that confidence.

“Switzerland, as a global financial centre, is well positioned to support the growth of a credible climate bond market.”

Climate Bonds CEO Sean Kidney said:

“We are deeply grateful to the Swiss Government for supporting the work of international Climate Bonds Standard. That support will be instrumental in growing a substantive climate-related bond market.

 “It’s an honour to have them join us as a Climate Bonds Partner.”

About SECO (seco.admin.ch)

The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is the Swiss federal government’s centre for all core issues relating to economic and labour market policy. As part of this role, SECO's Economic Cooperation and Development Division aims to support the integration of developing countries and Eastern European transition countries into the world economy. SECO also coordinates the relationships between Switzerland and the Work Bank Group, the economic development banks and the economic organisations of the United Nations.

Climate Bonds Initiative: The Climate Bonds Initiative is an investor-focused not-for-profit. It is the only organization in the world working to mobilise the USD 100 trillion bond market for climate change solutions. https://twitter.com/ClimateBonds

The Climate Bonds Initiative has issued an open invitation to banks, issuers, investors, NGOs — and governments — to join as Climate Bond Partners to help rapidly grow what a global market for green and climate bonds.