Sustainable debt market surpasses USD7tn in aligned issuance

Climate Bonds data shows GSS+ market has added almost USD6tn since 2020

Key Highlights: 

1. Climate Bonds’ database of aligned green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked bonds has now surpassed USD7tn in cumulative issuance.  
2. It took the sustainable debt market 13 years to reach its first USD1tn. Since 2020, it has added almost USD6tn more.  
3. Green bonds continue to lead the market, with more than USD4tn in cumulative aligned issuance, while social and sustainability debt continues to demonstrate strong investor demand.  
    

London, Tuesday 26 May 2026 09:00 BST: The global sustainable debt market has reached a major new milestone, with cumulative aligned issuance surpassing USD 7 trillion, according to the latest data from the Climate Bonds Initiative. 

Climate Bonds’ database of green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked bonds aligned with its methodologies has now crossed the USD7tn threshold, demonstrating the rapid growth of sustainable finance from a niche segment into a significant part of global capital markets. 

The milestone marks a sharp acceleration in market growth. It took the sustainable debt market 13 years, from 2006 to 2019, to reach its first USD1tn. Since 2020, it has added almost USD6tn more, with the market growing by around USD1tn per year since 2021. 

The latest data shows green bonds remain the dominant label, with cumulative aligned issuance now exceeding USD4tn. Social and sustainability bonds also continue to represent a major share of the market, reflecting sustained demand for debt instruments that finance both climate and social outcomes. Sustainability-linked bonds remain a smaller but important part of the GSS+ landscape. 

Last year, Climate Bonds’ Global State of the Market 2025 report found that annual aligned issuance surpassed USD1tn for the third consecutive year in 2025, with more than 400 new issuers entering the sustainable debt market. Green-labelled bonds accounted for 64% of aligned GSS+ issuance in 2025, while Europe remained the leading region, representing 45% of total aligned annual GSS+ volume. 

Sustainable debt moves into the mainstream 

The USD7tn milestone demonstrates the scale and resilience of sustainable debt markets, despite a more complex global macroeconomic and political environment. 

As governments, financial institutions, corporates and development banks seek to finance the transition to cleaner, more resilient and more inclusive economies, labelled debt instruments have become an increasingly important tool for connecting capital with credible climate and sustainability objectives. 

The growth of the market also underlines the importance of robust standards, taxonomies and screening methodologies. As volumes rise, investors and issuers require greater confidence that labelled debt is aligned with credible transition pathways and delivers meaningful environmental and social outcomes. 

Green bonds continue to lead 

Green bonds remain the largest segment of the aligned sustainable debt market, with cumulative issuance now above USD4tn. 

The continued dominance of green bonds reflects sustained demand for instruments financing mitigation, adaptation, resilience, clean energy, low-carbon transport, green buildings, sustainable water infrastructure and other climate-aligned activities. 

Social and sustainability bonds have also become a major part of the GSS+ market, demonstrating investor appetite for instruments that address wider sustainability priorities alongside climate action. 

The expansion of these labels reflects the growing role of sustainable debt in financing inclusive growth, essential services, resilience, health, education, affordable housing and other social and sustainability objectives. 

Together, green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked bonds now represent a sustainable debt market that has reached trillion-dollar annual scale and continues to deepen across regions, issuers and use cases. 

Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative, said: 

“7 trillion dollars is a major milestone. This is bigger than the economy of most countries in the world, and the market is still growing. Of course, we have to move more capital, about 10 trillion dollars a year, but this proves that investors want to and will invest their money in climate solutions. What we have to do in the rest of the world is get the right kind of deals in place. That means credible data, strong standards, and clear pathways to finance the transition. It’s a big agenda, but it’s a vital agenda, and it’s one that can leave our children stronger, more sustainable economies and societies.”  

<ENDS> 

For more information, please contact  

Gabriel Carhart  

Communications Specialist, Climate Bonds Initiative  

gabriel.carhart@climatebonds.net 

Notes to the editor: 

About the Climate Bonds Initiative: Climate Bonds is the leading international non-governmental organisation mobilising global capital for climate action. We drive the growth of the green and sustainable debt market through science-aligned frameworks including our taxonomies and standards, our Certification, our data and insights, and our provision of expert policy and technical advice. More information on our website here.