The UK’s inaugural green gilt issuance, which was supported by the Impact Investing Institute, has been honoured by the Climate Bonds Initiative with their Largest Green Sovereign Bond and the Sovereign Green Market Pioneer awards.
Sarah Gordon, Chief Executive of the Impact Investing Institute, says:
“We are delighted to see the UK’s green gilt recognised globally for both its scope and innovation. As well as raising vital funds to address the climate emergency, the commitment to report on social co-benefits, such as job creation and support for SMEs, has meant the gilt has also contributed to tackling regional inequality and delivering the government’s levelling up agenda.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with government to ensure social considerations are embedded in the transition to Net Zero.”
John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, says:
“I am delighted that the green gilt has won these two awards in recognition of last year’s successful launch of our Green Financing Programme. The green gilt is a key pillar of our green finance agenda and will help to reinforce the UK’s position as a leader in sustainable finance.”
Since its inception in September 2021, the government’s green financing programme has raised over £16 billion, to be spent on projects such as zero-emissions buses, offshore wind, and schemes to decarbonise homes and buildings. The September issuance was the largest inaugural green bond issuance ever undertaken by a sovereign.
The annual Climate Bonds Awards celebrates best practice and innovation in green finance and this year saw its seventh edition.
ENDS//
Notes to editors
For more information, contact:
George Salmon, Events and Communications Officer, Impact Investing Institute: comms@impactinvest.org.uk, +44 77 49 74 17 93
Background
In October 2020, the Impact Investing Institute, together with the Green Finance Institute and the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), published a proposal for a Green+ Gilt that emphasised the potential of a green sovereign bond with well-defined social and economic benefits.
Following this, the Impact Investing Institute was appointed as a member of and Secretariat to the UK Treasury and Debt Management Office’s Stakeholder Discussion Forum on green finance.
About the Climate Bonds Initiative
The Climate Bonds Initiative is an investor-focused not-for-profit, promoting large-scale investment in the low-carbon economy.
For more information about this year’s award-winners, please find the Climate Bonds Initiative press release here.