Project Details
Project
Aegea Sustainable Financing Framework Second-Party Opinion (2024)
Client
Aegea Saneamento e Participações S.A.
Project Type
Sustainability Bond/Loan
Industry Group
Other
Use of Proceeds
Water/waste water management; Renewable energy; Pollution prevention and control; Conservation; Affordable basic infrastructure; Employment generation and Socio-economic empowerment;
Location
Brazil
Evaluation Date
Oct 2024
Evaluation Summary
Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the Aegea Sustainable Financing Framework is credible and impactful and aligns with the four core components of the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2021 (SBG), Green Bond Principles 2021 (GBP), Social Bond Principles 2023 (SBP), Green Loan Principles 2023 (GLP), and Social Loan Principles 2023 (SLP). This assessment is based on the following:
USE OF PROCEEDS
The eligible categories for the use of proceeds, Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management, Renewable Energy, Pollution Prevention & Control, Terrestrial & Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation, Affordable Basic Infrastructure, Socioeconomic Advancement and Empowerment, are aligned with those recognized by the SBG, GBP, SBP, GLP and SLP. Sustainalytics considers that investments in the eligible categories will lead to positive environmental impacts and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDGs 6, 7, 8 and 14.
PROJECT EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Projects that fulfil the evaluation and selection criteria outlined in the Framework will be selected by Aegea’s ESG Executive Committee, comprised by representatives from the Investor Relations, Finance, Business Development, Sustainability and Mergers, and Acquisitions departments, in addition to the Company’s CEO and CFO. The Company has in place processes to identify and mitigate environmental and social risks associated with the eligible projects. Based on the clear delineation of responsibility, Sustainalytics considers this process to be in line with market practice.
MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
Aegea’s Financial Operations Department will be responsible for monitoring the allocation of proceeds, and the Company’s Treasury Department will be responsible for the management of proceeds on a portfolio basis. The Company intends to fully allocate all proceeds to eligible assets as soon as practicable within 72 months of issuance. Unallocated proceeds will be temporarily used for other operational, financial and investment activities. Sustainalytics notes that the allocation period aligns with the timeline of the Company’s project pipeline under its existing public service concessions but notes that the allocation period is longer than what Sustainalytics considers to be good practice. Sustainalytics further notes that Aegea commits to reach full allocation before the maturity of the issued instruments.
REPORTING
Aegea will publish a report on its website on the allocation and impact of bond proceeds on an annual basis until full allocation. Allocation reporting will include the percentages of proceeds allocated to eligible projects, to other financial instruments and to other Aegea projects not indicated in the Framework. In addition, the Company is committed to report on impact metrics, where relevant, such as the population served, collected sewage (in m3), volume of solid waste recycled (in tonnes) and percentage of water distribution losses. Based on the commitment to both allocation and impact reporting, Sustainalytics considers this process to be in line with market practice.