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Second-Party Opinion Download

Project Details

Project

MCB Group Sustainable Finance Framework Second Party Opinion (2024)

Client

Mauritius Commercial Bank Group

Project Type

Sustainability Bond/Loan

Industry Group

Banks

Use of Proceeds

Renewable energy; Energy efficiency; Green buildings; Clean transport; Water/waste water management; Pollution prevention and control; Climate change adaptation; Employment generation and Socio-economic empowerment; Access to essential services; Affordable housing; Affordable basic infrastructure; Food security; Conservation;

Location

Mauritius

Evaluation Date

Oct 2024

Evaluation Summary

Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the MCB Group Sustainable Finance Framework is credible and impactful and aligns with the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2021, Green Bond Principles 2021, Social Bond Principles 2023, Green Loan Principles 2023 and Social Loan Principles 2023. This assessment is based on the following:

USE OF PROCEEDS
The eligible categories for the use of proceeds1 are aligned with those recognized by the Sustainability Bond Guidelines , Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, Green Loan Principles and Social Loan Principles. 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 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13.

PROJECT EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Mauritius Commercial Bank Group’s Corporate Sustainability Committee and Sustainability Strategic Council, through its Transition Taskforce, are responsible for the evaluation and selection of eligible projects. The Environmental and Social Risk Management team is responsible for assessing the environmental and social risks of potential green and social projects. Sustainalytics considers the above to be in line with market practice.

MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
Mauritius Commercial Bank Group’s Financial Institutions & Syndication (Funding desk) is responsible for the management and allocation of proceeds to the eligible assets using a portfolio approach. Mauritius Commercial Bank Group will allocate the proceeds fully within 24 months of issuance. Unallocated proceeds will be held temporarily in short-term marketable instruments, cash or cash equivalents, money market instruments or other liquid financing instruments. This is in line with market practice.

REPORTING
Mauritius Commercial Bank Group will publish an annual report on the allocation of proceeds on a portfolio basis until full allocation. Allocation reporting will include information such as the total amount of proceeds allocated to eligible projects and relevant categories, as well as the balance of unallocated net proceeds and where these have been invested. Mauritius Commercial Bank Group also commits to report on relevant impact metrics. This is in line with market practice.

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