EACT SUMMIT 18

2 THE EACT SUMMIT BRUSSELS 2018 Making theMost of Green andSustainable Finance With $155.5bn of green bond issuance last year, in 37 countries, and outstanding stock of around $300bn, the concept of green finance is moving closer to the mainstream. Funding raised through green bonds tends to be directed at ‘classic’ causes such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, clean transport, and sustainable water and waste management. The parallel market of social bonds, although about a tenth of the size of its green counterpart, is also growing. It works on similar principles but addresses a specific problem for a specific social group. These bonds are increasingly important because the issues they reflect matter to society. The following edited highlights from the panel session reveal the thoughts of those who have already issued green and/or social bonds – along with their top tips for those considering issuance in this burgeoning market. Green financemay still be a relatively small market, but green and social bonds are generatingmore andmore interest on both the buy-side and sell- side. A lively panel discussion at the 2018 EACT Summit in LaHulpe, Belgium, sawexperienced proponents discuss the benefits of green finance and share their insights on successful issuance.

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