A China - driven surge
in green bond issuance helps pave the way for a socially responsible version of the security in the U.S.
The total amount of green - labeled bond issuances amounted to USD 93.4 billion at the end of 2016 and reflected strong China - based issuances (40 % of
labeled green bond issuance in 2016 was from China) and momentum from the Paris Agreement.
However, to achieve the necessary scale and allow expansion
of green bond issuance to other entities and structures, de-risking mechanisms are crucial.
There are reasons to be optimistic
about green bond issuance in the U.S., says Katugampola, even though the incoming administration might change environmental regulations.
Looking ahead, a broad swath of issuers is primed to
increase green bond issuance, allowing access to a diversified investor pool and greater efficiency.
The Institute for Sustainable Investing, created in 2013 and dedicated to developing innovative, scalable sustainable finance solutions, has been instrumental in supporting the firm's leadership
on green bond issuances.
Morgan Stanley's first -
ever green bond issuance and the broader growth across the market reflect what has become fertile ground for green bonds, which are similar to other fixed income instruments except that the proceeds are directed toward specific projects that address environmental issues.
For example, the Bloomberg Barclays Green Bond Index, which was launched in 2014, has lagged the broad - based Barclays Global Aggregate slightly over the last three years — but keep in mind that overall returns don't account for the boom in
green bond issuance over that period.
China also became the
largest green bond issuance location in 2017, with over $ 16bn issued, ahead of France's $ 15bn and the US's $ 14bn.
Three development banks have made a combined investment of US$ 425 million to a fund that will invest in
green bond issuances by financial groups in emerging sectors.
Local green bond issuances are helping companies in India to raise money for eco-friendly projects that provide investors a responsible alternative
In the first three quarters of 2017,
green bond issuance reached USD 83 billion, nearing the issuance reported by the Climate Bond Initiative for full - year 2016 (see Exhibit 1).
According to the Climate Change Initiative's estimate, the
labeled green bond issuances that are aligned with the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) definition could reach up to USD 150 billion in 2017 (see Exhibit 2).
«Market participants will look back on this municipal
green bond issuance for Massachusetts, and see it as the gateway to further green bond issuances across the many states and many cities that are hoping to access less expensive funding to improve infrastructure, protect natural resources and offer renewable energy,» says Bill Daley, Managing Director in Public Finance.
Coalitions build cities» capacity through an education program, providing cities with: tools; support by connecting them with organisations who can prepare them for
green bonds issuance; and a platform for knowledge and best practice sharing between cities» treasuries.
In the first three quarters of 2017,
green bond issuance reached USD 83 billion, nearing the issuance reported by the Climate Bond Initiative for full - year 2016 (see Exhibit 1).
China's
green bond issuance is increasingly international, according to the report.