Project Details
Project
Barclays Green and Social Notes Framework Second-Party Opinion (2023)
Client
Barclays Bank PLC
Project Type
Green Bond/Loan; Social Bond/Loan;
Industry Group
Banks
Use of Proceeds
Energy efficiency; Renewable energy; Clean transport; Sustainable forestry; Sustainable agriculture; Sustainable aquaculture/fisheries; Pollution prevention and control; Water/waste water management; Affordable housing;
Location
U.K.
Evaluation Date
Jan 2023
Evaluation Summary
Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the Barclays Green and Social Notes Framework is credible and impactful and aligns with the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2021, Green Bond Principles 2021 and Social Bond Principles 2021. This assessment is based on the following:
USE OF PROCEEDS
The eligible categories for the use of proceeds –Energy Efficiency; Renewable Energy; Sustainable Transport; Sustainable Food, Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Fisheries; Resource Efficiency and Pollution Control; Sustainable Water; and Affordable Housing – are aligned with those recognized by the Green Bond Principles and Social Bond Principles. Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries will only finance eligible green activities that comply with the sector criteria of the Climate Bonds Standard (CBI). Sustainalytics considers that investments in the eligible categories will lead to positive environmental or social impacts and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
PROJECT EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries’ ESG governance forums will evaluate, select, monitor and approve the eligible assets. Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries’ social and environmental impact assessment processes will be applicable to all project selection decisions. They will use separate registers to track eligible social assets and eligible green assets. Sustainalytics considers the project selection process to be in line with market practice.
MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries’ treasury or portfolio management departments will manage, track and allocate the proceeds to eligible assets. At the time of issuance, Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries will allocate the net proceeds from the notes to refinance eligible assets. Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries will update eligible asset balances monthly and repay maturing facilities or remove facilities that turn ineligible from the portfolio. Pending allocation, Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries will invest unallocated proceeds in cash and short-term liquid investments. This is in line with market practice.
REPORTING
Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries commit to reporting on the allocation of proceeds on its website on an annual basis as long as the notes are outstanding. Additionally, Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries commit to reporting on relevant impact metrics. Sustainalytics views the commitment to allocation and impact reporting to be aligned with market practice.