> The World Bank is exploring issuing the first Green Sukuk to fund low carbon development or environmental projects. They’re collaborating with the Islamic Financial Service Board (IFSB) to work out a framework to identify issues involved for Islamic financial institutions in the event of insolvency.
Climate Bonds Blog
Posted: Dec 1, 2011
Snippets from Durban: WB Green Sukuk; Aviation awkwardness; Climate Bond meets in Durban, Paris, Australia
Posted: Nov 28, 2011
New York Times / International Herald Tribune - http://goo.gl/ZEop9
The Financial Times - http://goo.gl/pTVWu
The Economist - http://www.economist.com/node/21534810
Thanks to Sonia, Sophia and James.
Press picking up on Climate Bond Standards: NYT today; FT; Economist
Posted: Nov 25, 2011
Opening speech at the launch of the Climate Bonds Standard by co-founder, Nick Silver
Let me deal with each word in turn: Climate, Bonds and Standards
1. Climate.
Everyone seems to have forgotten about climate change – it’s dropped right down or even off the agenda. We have been distracted by rather serious problems elsewhere.
3 simple reasons why Climate Bond Standards are important
Posted: Nov 24, 2011
Climate Bond Standard released, open for business; Goal to Assure Integrity of Green Claims for Investors, Governments
LONDON TODAY – The Climate Bonds Initiative today released the final approved text of the prototype Climate Bond Standard. See http://standards.climatebonds.net/
The Standard is a screening tool for investors and governments to support investment in delivering a Low Carbon Economy. Bonds complying with the Standard will be certified as ‘Climate Bonds’— a mark that assures their contribution to the delivery of a Low Carbon Economy.
Climate Bond Standard launch backed by investors and NGOs; Goal to Assure Integrity of Green Claims for Investors, Governments
Posted: Nov 16, 2011
And then you get snippets to cheer you up:
- China’s State Council is studying the introduction of a green tax. They're also planning to cut emissions the unit of GDP by 16% within 4 years; that's very ambitious.
- Australia's Parliament passed carbon tax legislation. And their $10 billion green investment bank (they're calling it a Clean Energy Finance Corporation) should be through Parliament mid-next year and operational in 2013.
A cheerier note: China green tax / Australia / new Planetary Stewardship paper
Posted: Nov 16, 2011
Earlier this month two news items rocked me, and I'm still rocking.
The first was the US Government's CO2 Analysis Centre reporting that global emissions had grown 5.9% in the past year. That's the highest ever recorded; it was chilling news. A friend called to say he was going ahead with buying land in Canada for his kids; not an option for most people.
Tough news: global GHG up 5.9% & IEA predicts grim future
Posted: Nov 15, 2011
We welcome three new members of Climate Bonds Advisory Panel:
Abyd Karmali, a Managing Director and Global Head of Carbon Markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He serves on Bank of America’s Environmental Council and has worked for two decades on climate change and the carbon markets. He is also President of the Carbon Markets & Investors Association and Chairman of Just Energy, a new Oxfam initiative focused on access to energy.
Clmt Bnds Adv Panel recruits: CPI's Barbara Buchner, BofML's Abyd Karmali, Wolfgang Mostert (Venice, London, Copenhagen)
Posted: Nov 8, 2011
The Climate Bonds Standard and Certification Scheme will be formally launched in the London at 4pm on 24 November, 2011. The Scheme will provide assurance for investors about the low carbon integrity of bonds for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Speakers at the launch will be:
Greg Barker MP, Minister of State, UK Department of Energy & Climate ChangeBill Lockyer, California State Treasurer (by video)Christian Kjaer, CEO European Wind Energy AssociationJames Cameron, Climate Change CapitalSteve Lambert, GM Capital Markets, National Australia BankNick Robins, HSBC Centre for Climate Change
Climate Bonds Standard to be launched in London, 24 Nov 4pm, with UK Minister Greg Barker, California Treasurer Bill Lockyer and many more
Posted: Oct 29, 2011
> China Green Munis: As a market test, the Chinese Govt has announced it will allow 2 cities and 2 provinces to issue local govt bonds for environmental projects. See http://goo.gl/OKaPh and http://goo.gl/uIG0H. That's right, green and climate bonds, as foreshadowed in a number of mayoral speeches over the past year. It's still unclear whether overseas investors wanting to have an exposure to Chinese debt will be allowed to buy.
News: China tests green Munis / Koch-funded study confirms CC science / Green Climate Fund thaw
Posted: Oct 22, 2011
Guest commentator Jonathan Johns of ClimateChangeMatters writes ....
Solyndra’s failure and why tax credits are a better way to go