Project Details
Project
State of the Netherlands Green Bond Framework (2022)
Client
Dutch State Treasury Agency
Project Type
Green Bond/Loan; EU Taxonomy Assessment;
Industry Group
-
Use of Proceeds
-
Location
Netherlands
Evaluation Date
Apr 2022
Evaluation Summary
Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the State of the Netherlands Green Bond Framework is credible and impactful and aligns to the four core components of the Green Bond Principles 2021. This assessment is based on the following:
USE OF PROCEEDS
The eligible categories for the use of proceeds – Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Clean Transportation, and Climate Change Adaptation & Sustainable Water Management – are aligned with those recognized by the Green Bond Principles 2021. Sustainalytics considers that the eligible categories are expected to lead to positive environmental impacts and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13.
PROJECT EVALUATION / SELECTION
The Dutch State Treasury Agency (DSTA) initially identifies expenditures in the Central Government Budget after which the Green Bond Working Group evaluates and selects eligible expenditures. The Green Bond Working Group comprises representatives from various State Ministries. The environmental and social laws and regulations and risk assessment processes of the State of the Netherlands are applicable to all expenditures (re) financed under the Framework. Sustainalytics considers the project selection process in line with market practice.
MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
The DSTA oversees the management of proceeds and will track proceeds via the National Financial Annual Report. DSTA applies a lookback period of maximum two years and is targeting full allocation within two years after issuance. Unallocated proceeds will be managed according to the treasury policy of the DSTA. This is in line with market practice.
REPORTING
The State of the Netherlands intends to publicly report on allocation annually, on its website. The report will include an overview of the allocation of green bond proceeds by a breakdown of allocation per expenditure category and the unallocated proceeds (if any). Impact reporting will include relevant impact metrics. Sustainalytics views the State of the Netherlands’ allocation and impact reporting as aligned with market practice.
Alignment with the EU Taxonomy
Sustainalytics has assessed the State of the Netherlands’s Green Bond Framework for alignment with the EU Taxonomy, and is of the opinion that, of the Framework’s four use of proceeds categories, which map to eight EU activities, all align with the applicable Technical Screening Criteria (“TSC”) in the EU Taxonomy and Do No Significant Harm Criteria. Sustainalytics is also of the opinion that the activities and projects to be financed under the Framework will be carried out in alignment with the EU Taxonomy’s Minimum Safeguards.