Sustainable finance

2020-10-01

Insights

Lessons from the infant sustainability-linked bond market

In September 2020, the first bonds aligned to the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles (SLBPs) were issued. Even though the fledgling market provides endless opportunities for structuring sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), a comparison of the current issuers and their bonds reveals unexpected similarities.

Aerial view of rural road in yellow and orange autumn forest

2020-10-01

Insights

Nordea launches its own ESG ratings for Nordic companies

The ratings system caters to a variety of investment strategies, allowing investors to tailor the output for their specific preferences. Marco Kisic, Nordea’s Head of ESG Research, explains the ins and outs.

2020-07-02

Insights

The sustainable sovereign bond market heats up

Ever since Poland became the first sovereign to issue a green bond back in December 2016, the race has been on to see which countries would follow. Now the market looks set to grow rapidly, with Sweden recently publishing its Green Bond Framework, Germany planning to issue its inaugural green bond in September and Denmark exploring an innovative new model for sovereign green bonds.

Young woman outside wearing a virus protective face

2020-06-02

Insights

COVID-19 bonds – a market and investor perspective

The current corona crisis has given rise to a new label of sustainable bonds: COVID-19 bonds. With no established market practices for these bonds, issuers and investors are working together to find existing and new solutions for COVID-19-related funding, while safeguarding the integrity of the sustainable finance market.

2020-05-04

Insights

Do green bonds outperform in ‘risk-off’ periods? Yes, but beware the nuances

We find that green bonds have been more resilient than traditional bonds in times of crisis, but there are things to keep in mind when doing the analysis.

2020-05-03

Insights

Corona bonds: What are they and why do they matter?

The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned a new bond label, so-called "corona bonds," opening opportunities not only for sovereign and supranational issuers, but also for corporates.

2020-04-01

Insights

Nordea helps public sector borrowers finance COVID-19 response

Public sector borrowers are issuing bonds to finance the emergency and stimulus response to the coronavirus outbreak, and Nordea is on the front line.

2020-03-03

Insights

EU taxonomy: What’s new in the final recommendations?

The European Commission’s expert group on sustainable finance has published its final recommendations on the EU taxonomy, a framework for classifying green investments. We take a deep dive into what’s new in the latest report, including sector-specific highlights.

2020-03-03

Insights

The growing importance of green bond funds

The dramatic growth in green bond issuance and investor demand is driving a rise in dedicated green and sustainable bond funds. While low levels of supply and diversification were initially seen as a limitation for these funds, that’s changing.