Market developments

The report is based on interviews with over 30 CFOs representing companies with a combined market capitalisation of USD930bn and reveals that CFOs can play a pivotal role in driving the low-carbon transition. The study is a collaborative effort between the Climate Bonds Initiative and the CFO coalition of the UN Global Compact. Interviews were conducted in the first half of 2023 to gain insights into the intersection of finance and sustainability.

This report presents the research application of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) - Amundi Climate Change Investment Framework (CCIF). The CCIF aims to provide investors with a benchmark tool for assessing an investment, at the issuer-level, in relation to climate change-related financial risks and opportunities.

To reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, entities operating in most sectors must undergo a major transformation. The key tool that will enable this transformation is the development of a transition plan that is science based, coherent, comprehensive, transparent and covers all material scopes of emissions and business activities.

The labelled bond market topped $200bn in the first quarter of 2022, despite unfavourable conditions for fixed income securities. The green, social, sustainable, and other labelled (GSS+) bond charge was threatened by market volatility as the Ukraine war and rising interest rates sprung upon the opening months of the year. Despite this, the market demonstrated resilience and amassed a strong volume which is expected to rise over the coming months.

Total volumes for labelled Green, Social and Sustainability (GSS) bonds, Sustainability-linked bonds (SLB) and Transition bonds reached nearly half a trillion (USD496.1bn) in the first half of 2021.

This amount represents 59% year-on-year growth in the GSS market from the equivalent period in 2020. It also sets the labelled sustainable debt market on track to reach another record high by end December.

Cumulative labelled issuance now stands at USD2.1tn at end H1 2021.