On 9 April I'm chairing a Netherlands Green Bonds Roundtable for investors and issuers, hosted by Rabobank. Venue is Artis Royal Zoo in Amsterdam.
Climate Bonds Blog
Posted: Mar 24, 2015
Netherlands Green Bonds Roundtable 9 April, hosted by Rabo, in Amsterdam. Keynote from former PM of Netherlands
Posted: Mar 22, 2015
The Diaoyutai State Guesthouse is a high security green oasis in the West of Beijing, where foreign leaders are housed when visiting China. Over the past three days the Chinese State Council (Cabinet Office) Development Research Centre have been holding its annual China Development Forum there. An amazing gaggle of multinational CEOs, Chinese Government leaders and luminaries like Henry Kissinger, Jeffrey Sachs and Joseph Stiglitz have been presenting their views on issues and prospects for China and the world.
Landmark “Greening China’s Financial System” synthesis rpt, incl. green bonds, launched at State Council DRC's 2015 China Dvlpt Forum by former DRC VP, CEO of Mizuho Bank & CBRC Deputy DG
Posted: Mar 19, 2015
In October last year, the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) Technical Working Group was set up to develop eligibility criteria for climate bonds linked to these sectors that can be certified under the Climate Bonds Standard.
Early last month, the second arm of the Standard development for AFOLU was launched with the first meeting of the AFOLU Industry Working Group charged with ensuring that proposals developed by the Technical Working Group are practical, easy to use and applicable across a number of key investments areas under the sector.
Agriculture & Forestry Industry Working Group launched. Big businesses and banks tasked with advising on practicality of the Climate Bonds AFOLU Standard developed by the Expert Technical Committee.
Posted: Mar 19, 2015
Next Tuesday in Beijing at the Establishing Green Bond Market in China workshop we will be launching a white paper outlining the key recommendations for Chinese policymakers on how to grow the green bonds market in China as well a Green Bond issuance guide (look out for the release on Tuesday!).
The afternoon workshop is invitation only, but the evening lecture is open to everyone interested - if you're in Beijing, please do join us. You don't need to register!
Invitation: Beijing 24 March 19:00 - lecture & launch of our "Growing a Green Bonds Market in China" white paper + "How-to issue a Green Bond in China" guide
Posted: Mar 18, 2015
This week saw the first labelled green bond from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which marks an important step forward from a leader in the Asian market. Pure-play wind power company Vestas closed its inaugural labelled green offering - important because it opens the door to other pure-play companies that have the potential to issue green. Another green guarantee was issued by OPIC with proceeds funding a wind project in Pakistan.
Although not included in our green bond universe, we also comment on the latest thematic offering with a green aspect from the German state North Rhine-Westphalia. They have issued a sustainability bond with 41% proceeds going toward green projects.
Wkly Update: 1st labelled GB from ADB ($500m, 10yr) a hit with Asian investors / 1st GB frm pure-play wind co Vestas: EUR 500m ($527m, 7yr)/ OPIC $46.5m (10yr) guarantee for wind/Bangchak’s ‘GB’ still a question mark - no public details confirmed
Posted: Mar 17, 2015
Today, the Bioenergy Technical Working Group released their proposed eligibility criteria for bioenergy projects that qualify under the Climate Bonds Standard. The criteria are now subject to a 60 day period of public consultation. You can submit your comments on this page or via email.
Climate Bonds Standard criteria for bioenergy investments released for public comment. Expert Committee reps included FAO, NWF, IINAS, Uni British Columbia
Posted: Mar 17, 2015
Water scarcity represents the most significant risk imaginable — to businesses, whole economies, and the ecosystems that provide the natural capital for those economies.
Let’s take Brazil for example. Just last month, the country - with a population of 200 million people - experienced severe blackouts after a large hydroelectric power plant in the state of Rio de Janeiro switched off when water levels dropped below the operational limits – a worrying sign when 70% of the country’s power supply is produced by dams.
The current drought in Brazil illustrates why water projects will increasingly need climate adaptation components: The Climate Bonds Water Standard will provide definitions for such green water investments
Posted: Mar 16, 2015
Tom Baumann Chairs ISO TC207 SC7, the International Organization for Standardization’s committee developing climate change related standards.
Tom Baumann, Chair ISO GHG management standards c'ttee, joins Climate Bonds Standards Industry Working Group
Posted: Mar 13, 2015
A number of important green bonds market developments in February meant a buzzy month for the media coverage. The trending topics were India’s first green bond, Deutsche Bank’s €1 billion green bonds commitment and Oslo Stock Exchange green bonds listing. We have also seen the role of the governments in scaling up the market highlighted in a number of articles.
Business News Network, Buy green bonds, feel good about yourself
Andrew Bell of Canadian Business News Network's 'Commodities' interviews Climate Bonds Initiative CEO Sean Kidney.
Feb GB media stories: IFR, Investment & Pensions, Bloomberg, Banking Today, Dagens Næringsliv, Cities Today, Europe’s World, BNN +more.
Posted: Mar 12, 2015
‘Global Forum for the expanding Green Bonds Market’ is coming to London on 29 April, co-hosted by the Climate Bonds Initiative. This is practical event focused on issuers and investors, with a number of interactive panel sessions on private placement market, new bond structures, new potential areas for investment, Standards, Green Bond Principles and more.
Reminder: 4 days left to register for Global Green Bonds Forum special £455 discount for you, a Climate Bonds Friend. Except if you're an issuer or investor - then it's Free (what a deal!) 29 April, London.