Certification Resources

Climate Bonds Certification

The Climate Bonds Certification Scheme is a voluntary, internationally recognised labelling scheme administered by the Climate Bonds Initiative (Climate Bonds). It enables issuers, asset owners, and corporate entities to demonstrate alignment with credible climate mitigation and adaptation pathways consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The scheme is underpinned by the Climate Bonds Standard and detailed, science‑based Sector Criteria.

Certification provides labelled bond issuers with an independent, transparent, and robust way to evidence the climate integrity of their financing, supporting investor confidence and access to global green and transition capital markets.

What Certification covers

Climate Bonds Certification assesses only the climate alignment of financed assets, projects, or entities. It does not assess credit risk, financial performance, or broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors outside the scope of climate mitigation, transition, or adaptation. Certification does not constitute regulatory approval.

The Climate Bonds Standard and Sector Criteria

The Climate Bonds Standard sets out the core, non‑technical requirements for Certification, including governance, management of proceeds, disclosure, and reporting. Eligibility is determined using Climate Bonds Sector Criteria, which establish granular, science‑based technical requirements and thresholds for identifying assets and activities compatible with a low‑carbon, climate‑resilient future.

Available Certification types:

> Use of Proceeds (UoP) Certification

For bonds, loans, and other debt instruments whose proceeds are allocated to eligible climate‑aligned projects, assets, or expenditures.

> Asset Certification

For individual assets or portfolios of assets that fully meet the relevant Sector Criteria.

> Entity Certification

For non‑financial corporates or defined business segments that meet Sector Criteria and demonstrate credible climate transition plans.

> Sustainability‑Linked Debt (SLD) Certification

For sustainability‑linked bonds and loans issued by entities that meet the relevant Sector Criteria and entity‑level requirements.

For all Certification types, the applicant maintains an agreement with Climate Bonds throughout the Certification term.

Certification process

The Use-of-Proceeds Certification process

The process typically involves:

Developing a Green or Climate Finance Framework describing objectives, use of proceeds, and internal controls.
Identifying eligible assets and compiling supporting information.
Engaging a Climate Bonds Approved Verifier for pre‑issuance verification.
Submitting the verification report, Certification agreement, Sustainable Finance Framework, and bond information form to Climate Bonds.
Receiving pre‑issuance Certification confirmation.
Completing post‑issuance verification and periodic reporting where required.

The role of the Climate Bonds Approved Verifier

Certification involves two distinct steps:

Verification is conducted by an independent, Climate Bonds Approved Verifier, who assesses alignment with the Climate Bonds Standard and applicable Sector Criteria.
The Certification Label is then formally awarded by Climate Bonds following its review of the verification report and supporting documentation.

The Climate Bonds Verifier is separately engaged by the applicant for Certification

Certification fees

For debt instruments, the issuer pays a fixed fee when Certification is awarded, plus a variable fee based on the issuance amount when the debt instrument is issued. For other Certification types, there is a fixed fee paid in advance.

These fees support the administration and governance of the Certification Scheme. The verification fee is separately negotiated between the applicant and the Verifier.