Sustainable Finance Podcast Series

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Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11| Episode 12 | Episode 13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15

Episode 15 (February 2021 Highlights)

In our new episode, Nick and Cheryl share insights on recent market developments and trends such as questions about the ambitiousness of some sustainability-linked bond targets, implications of SFDR on investor and company reporting as well as some interesting green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked transactions.

If you would like to ask a question to be featured in a future episode, please email podcast@sustainalytics.com

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Episode 14 (January 2021 Highlights)

In this episode, Nick and Cheryl discuss some of the key sustainable finance deals and transactions from the beginning of the year. Environmental Finance released its annual Sustainable Bonds Insights report, which highlights a record year for green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked bonds with more than 602 billion in issuance in 2020. Also of note in the report is that Sustainalytics continues to be a market leader with more than 30% of market share among opinion providers (based on number of issuers).

If you would like to ask a question to be featured in a future episode, please email podcast@sustainalytics.com

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Sustainalytics SPOs:

• Central China Real Estate Limited Green Finance Framework
• BDO Sustainable Finance Framework
• Hudson Green Financing Framework
• Trinity Industries Leasing Company Green Financing Framework
• CSCDA Community Improvement Authority Social Bond Framework
• New World Development Green Finance Framework
• Seaspan Sustainability-Linked Bond

Episode 13 (2021 Outlook)

In this special episode, Nick and Cheryl gaze into their crystal ball and discuss want could be on the horizon in the world of sustainable finance for 2021. They also take a deeper dive into Sustainalytics’ recently published thematic research report “10 for 2021: Investing in a circular food economy” and how the themes covered in the report intersect with sustainable finance.

If you would like to ask a question to be featured in a future episode, please email podcast@sustainalytics.com

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Sustainalytics' client work:

• TESCO Sustainability-Linked Bond Second-Party Opinion
• Starbucks Sustainability Bond Second-Party Opinion
• Olam: Olam International secures Asia’s first sustainability-linked club loan facility for US$500 million
• BNP Paribas: Danone’s Positive Incentive Financing Strategy
• UOB/Wilmar: UOB extends US$200 million sustainability-linked loan to Wilmar in support of agricultural sustainability in Asia
• COFCO: COFCO International links sustainability performance to new USD2.1 billion credit facility

Episode 12 (December Highlights)

To round out 2020, Nick and Cheryl provide an overview of the deals and developments that occurred in December. Of note is that 2020 appears was the year of the social bond with approximately EUR 130 billion issued. They also touch on developments around the EU Taxonomy, the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, and what the new US administration could mean for environmental protections and sustainable finance. As always, the episode includes a rundown of notable transactions from around the globe.

If you would like to ask a question to be featured in a future episode, please email podcast@sustainalytics.com

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Sustainalytics SPOs:

• VodafoneZiggo Green Bond Framework
• Corticeira Amorim Green Bond Framework

Episode 11 (November Highlights)

In this last episode for 2020, Nick and Cheryl provide an update on recent market developments including an overview of a recent market conference in Australia, the ‘greenium’ for green, social and sustainability bonds, and the potential consequences of the EU green bond standard on corporate issuances. They also provide a round-up on recent market transactions and answer some listener questions.

If you would like to ask a question to be featured in a future episode, please email podcast@sustainalytics.com

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Sustainalytics SPOs:

• Industrial bank Co Ltd, Green Bond Framework Second-Party Opinion

Episode 10 (October Highlights)

As our Sustainable Finance Insight series hits 10 episodes, Nick and Cheryl discuss developments and deals over the months of September and October. One notable milestone was the delivery of Sustainalytics’ 500^th SPO in October. Check out our retrospective on the sustainable bond market. The Climate Bond Initiative also noted that green bond issuance has surpassed USD 1 trillion and sustainable finance issuance has topped USD 2 trillion since inception.

In addition to market updates, Cheryl and Nick answer some listener questions. Submit your questions to podcast@sustainalytics.com.

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Sustainalytics SPOs:

• adidas Sustainability Bond Framework Second-Party Opinion
• EU SURE Social Bond Framework Second-Party Opinion

Episode 9 (September Highlights)

In this episode, Nick and Cheryl note that the cumulative volume of green bond issuance globally has surpassed $1 trillion. They also discuss the Climate Bonds Initiative’s annual conference, which focused heavily on the theme of transition finance. In addition, they note pledges from China and South Korea to become carbon neutral by 2050 and 2060 respectively, and provide updates on developments in sustainable finance and corporate sustainability commitments.

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Sustainalytics SPOs

Episode 8 (August Highlights)

In this episode, Nick and Cheryl discuss the smorgasbord of activity in the sustainable finance space, noting an increasing diversification among issuers, use of proceeds and deal structures. This as monthly green bond issuance peaked in the month of July at USD$20 billion.

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Episode 7 (July Highlights)

In this episode, Nick and Cheryl share updates on the notable deals and developments over the month and share insights on market developments over the first half of the year.

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Episode 6 (June Highlights)

In this episode, Nick and Cheryl note the uptick in social bond issues compared to this time last year. At the end of May global social bond issues amounted to USD 30.4 bn compared to USD 17.3 bn for the entirety of 2019.

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions

Links to select resources:

Episode 5 (May Highlights)

In this episode Nick and Cheryl are joined by Zach Margolis, Project Manager on our Sustainable Finance Solutions to discuss some notable Green Bond transactions over the month.

Links to select resources:

Episode 4 (April Highlights)

In this overview of the noteworthy deals and developments in sustainable finance in the month of April, Nick and Cheryl are joined by Lili Hocke, who addresses some of the common questions we have received from issuers regarding COVID-19 related social bonds. Molly Stern also joins the episode to provide an update on regulatory developments in Europe.

Links to select resources:

Episode 3 (March Highlights)

In this month’s episode, Nick and Cheryl highlight some of the recent developments and noteworthy deals in the global sustainable finance market. They discuss the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 and how issuers are responding to help those in need, along with other topics. They are joined by colleagues in Europe and North America who provide updates on their markets.

Links to select resources:

Episode 2 (February Highlights):

This week, Nick and Cheryl discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, and share highlights from recent reports reviewing the state of the sustainable finance market in 2019. Nick runs down some of the latest transactions and is joined by colleagues in Europe and the US who share their thoughts on what’s happening in their respective markets.

Links to select resources:

Episode 1 (January Highlights):

In this episode, Nick Gandolfo and Cheryl Tay discuss some interesting green bond transactions as well as some noteworthy sustainability linked loans and market and regulatory developments from across the globe.

Hosts:

• Nick Gandolfo, Director, Sustainable Finance Solutions
• Cheryl Tay, Senior Associate, Sustainable Finance Solutions