Standard Chartered has successfully issued its first-ever green-only bond, raising €1 billion to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy across its core markets in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
The issuance marks a strategic evolution for the bank, which has previously issued social and sustainability-linked debt. The new green-only format is designed to provide dedicated capital for environmental projects that directly address the climate crisis.
Focus on emerging markets:
The proceeds from the bond will be allocated toward a diverse portfolio of eligible projects, including renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and the development of green buildings.
Additionally, the funds will support climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable water management, and circular economy solutions.
According to the bank, over 70% of its sustainable finance asset pool is located in emerging markets, where investment often has a disproportionately high impact on carbon reduction.
Thought leadership:
The bank’s leadership highlighted the significance of the deal in bridging the financing gap for sustainable development.
Diego De Giorgi, Group Chief Financial Officer, Standard Chartered, said, “Our first sustainable finance issuance in a green-only format is an important milestone and demonstrates Standard Chartered’s ability to raise capital in the world’s largest financial centres and deploy it across borders …”
Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Standard Chartered, said, “In emerging markets, every dollar of financing can have a disproportionate impact in terms of reducing carbon emissions. Our financing of renewable energy projects in Indonesia will have a 10 times greater impact on CO₂ avoided than a similar-sized project in France.”
Investor demand:
The offering saw significant interest from global investors, finishing nearly four times oversubscribed with an order book exceeding €3.9 billion.
The reception underscores growing market confidence in the bank’s sustainability framework and its Here for Good brand promise.
It must be noted that Standard Chartered currently manages a sustainable finance asset pool of approximately $17.4 billion, supporting over 350 green projects worldwide.
