Labelled Bonds’ Use of Proceeds: Transparency and Ambition Needed
Marina Petroleka, Global Head of Research, Sustainable Fitch, discusses green, social and sustainability bonds’ contribution to environmental and/or social impacts and the level of transparency and ambition in project or target selection, based on Sustainable Fitch’s ESG Ratings data. Sustainable Fitch’s ESG Ratings provide a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the impact an issuing entity […]
Transition Finance Gap Remains Amid Uncertainties
The purpose of transition finance is to fund the improvement of carbon-intensive activities in pursuit of a more sustainable world. This contrasts with green finance, which is used by companies or projects already considered as being green. Transition finance is one of several tools developed in recent years to align global financial flows with a […]
Gas, Oil and Revolvers: an ESG Success Story
Diversified Energy Company recently converted its existing traditional $300m reserve base lending facility into a sustainability-linked reserve-based revolver – one of the first of its kind. The conversion incorporated some demanding environmental and social KPIs. John Crain, Vice President of Treasury, Diversified Energy, recounts the experience to TMI. When it comes to matters of sustainability, […]
Saving the Planet and Boosting Profits
How Treasury can Support ESG in the Supply Chain An organisation’s commitment to ESG – environmental, social, and governance – must go beyond lip service, extending into real behavioural and cultural changes both within the organisation and its external partners. Treasurers can facilitate the transition to sustainable practices by providing payment incentives to deserving suppliers […]
ESG Sukuk Issuance Surges Despite Market Volatilities
ESG-linked sukuk, or Islamic bonds, are emerging as significant funding tools in Muslim-majority countries, with growing support from supranationals, sovereigns and government-related entities. In 2022, the volume of outstanding ESG sukuk expanded by 11.2% quarter-on-quarter to reach $19.3bn, with $4.3bn issued in H122. Fitch now rates more than 80% of the hard-currency ESG sukuk market, […]
A Quantum Leap Forward in Data-Driven ESG Scoring
A successful pilot managed by Surecomp has shown that ESG scoring can now be applied at the individual trade finance transaction level, opening up a world of possibilities for corporate treasurers to support sustainable global trade. The 2022 edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP27, opened on 6 November in the […]
There is No More Ignoring ESG in Treasury
Despite many other burning issues, ESG is a major concern for treasurers – and it appears to be moving higher up their agenda every year. But sustainable finance solutions do not always align with fundamental treasury principles. Treasurers’ first, second and third priorities are, understandably, to secure/protect/optimise cash respectively – and yet green bonds seem […]
Carbonomics 101: Three trends that could define the future of voluntary carbon credit markets
The future of voluntary carbon markets is looking bright and will bring major changes for companies and asset owners on the road to net zero. In the 10th article in this series, we take a closer look at how voluntary carbon markets – and the regulatory environment surrounding them – could change in the years […]
Carbonomics 101: Why are Scope 3 emissions so important but challenging to tackle?
With the ongoing urgency of the climate crisis and increasing focus on greenwashing, it’s critical that businesses understand the full breadth of their emissions and how they can effectively eliminate and reduce them. Scope 3 emissions (also commonly referred to as value chain emissions) account for the majority of total emissions in many sectors (and […]
Carbonomics 101: Is carbon offsetting a form of greenwashing?
Is carbon offsetting an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or is it simply a form of greenwashing? Divisive though it may be, carbon offsetting is an essential part of the sustainability toolkit – and here’s why. Voluntary carbon credits have come under fire in recent years, from environmental activists and media pundits, for […]
Carbonomics 101: using science-based targets to reduce emissions – where to start?
In the seventh article in this series we take a closer look at how a company’s carbon footprint is defined, how it can be reduced in line with climate science, and how the reduction of emissions can be integrated into sustainability-linked financing instruments. If the world is to avert the worst of climate change, greenhouse […]