Green bonds: Financial instruments for accessing capital and financing the energy transition
Five steps to enhance transparency and credibility
The global energy transition from fossil-based energy sources to renewable alternatives is creating an increased demand for green bonds. These bonds are fixed-income financial instruments that raise capital for sustainable projects and aim to offer an effective way to finance the energy transition.
What every leader should know about sustainable financing
While green bonds are important for sustainable investing, they currently represent less than 3% of global bond market issuances. That presents an untapped opportunity to access new sources of capital through environmental, social, and governance (ESG) lenders and investors.
In this perspective, we’ll provide a holistic view of the green bonds market and cover stakeholder expectations for reliable reporting. Below are high-level takeaways from our recent perspective, as well as five key considerations before issuing a green bond.
- Stakeholders expect green bonds reporting to have reliable data and a demonstrable environmental impact.
- Scrutiny from investors will continue with the growing green bond market, which emphasizes the need for enhanced disclosure in sustainable financing.
- A well-designed green bond framework and reliable reporting can provide transparency and quality that market participants expect, while also fueling the transition from fossil-based energy to renewable sources.
Five considerations before issuing a green bond
1. Align to voluntary green bond guidelines or standards
Consider the guidance provided by the Green Bond Principles or Climate Bonds Standard when developing your organization’s green bond framework.
2. Focus on material ESG topics
Reference topics that matter to your business, issues that are pertinent to stakeholders, and top finance priorities of the sustainability project.
3. Bring together the organization’s sustainability and finance functions
Optimize cross-functional collaboration to establish or improve processes and broader sustainability controls.
4. Focus on meaningful sustainability impact
Receive a second-party opinion during the pre-issuance process to analyze potential environmental benefits and impacts of your green financing framework.
5. Obtain external assurance
Establish relevant and clear criteria for post-issuance assurance to increase the reliability of the information reported.
ESG investing trends are ever-changing, but the interest in green bonds is here to stay. Prepare for the future by keeping a close eye on the green bonds market and how investors and regulators are responding.
