Project Details
Project
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited. Green Bond Second-Party Opinion
Client
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited.
Project Type
Green Bond/Loan
Industry Group
Food Products
Use of Proceeds
Eco-efficient products; Energy efficiency;
Location
Japan
Evaluation Date
Nov 2020
Evaluation Summary
Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the Kirin Holdings Company, Limited. (“Kirin Holdings” or the “Company”) Green Bond Framework (“Framework”) is credible and impactful and aligns with the four core components of the Green Bond Principles 2018 (GBP). This assessment is based on the following:
USE OF PROCEEDS
The eligible categories for the use of proceeds – 1) Eco-efficient and/or Circular Economy Adapted Products, Production Technologies and Processes, 2) Pollution Prevention and Control, 3) Energy Efficiency, and 4) Renewable Energy –, are aligned with those recognized by the GBP. Sustainalytics considers that the eligible categories will lead to positive environmental impacts and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 7, 9 and 12.
PROJECT EVALUATION/SELECTION
Kirin Holdings’ internal process in evaluating and selecting projects is managed by the Accounting Department and CSV Strategy Department. The final decision for the projects selected based on the use of proceeds defined in the Framework, will be made by the Executive Officer in charge of financial strategy. Kirin Holdings’ process is in line with market practice.
MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
Kirin Holdings’ Accounting Department will track the allocated and unallocated amounts of the proceeds on a semiannual basis, using the internal management system, until redemption of the bond. The proceeds will be allocated to eligible projects within one year, and the unallocated proceeds will be held in cash or cash equivalents. The Company’s management of proceeds is in line with market practice.
REPORTING
Kirin Holdings is committed to disclosing on its website annually allocation reporting and environmental impact reporting. Allocation reporting contains the name of projects, overview of projects with progress, and amounts allocated and unallocated, and will be disclosed on a timely basis, in the event of any significant changes. Impact reporting contains quantitative information including conversion rate of PET bottle resin to recycled resin and reduction in greenhouse gas emission (in tons). Moreover, Kirin Holdings commits to receive an annual review from an external reviewer. Sustainalytics views Kirin Holdings’ commitments on reporting and annual review to be aligned with market practice.