Project Details
Project
Metlife Sustainable Financing Framework Second-Party Opinion
Client
Metlife, Inc.
Project Type
Sustainability Bond/Loan
Industry Group
-
Use of Proceeds
-
Location
U.S.
Evaluation Date
Jun 2020
Evaluation Summary
Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the MetLife Sustainable Financing Framework aligns with the Green Bond Principles 2018, the Social Bond Principles 2020, and the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2018. This assessment is based on the following:
USE OF PROCEEDS
The eligible categories for the use of proceeds – Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Buildings, Clean Transportation, Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management, Pollution Prevention and Control, Environmentally Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources and Land Use, Access to Essential Services, and Affordable Housing – are aligned with those recognized by both the Green Bond Principles and Social Bond Principles respectively. Sustainalytics considers that the eligible categories will lead to positive environmental or social impacts and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDGs 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 15.
PROJECT EVALUATION/SELECTION
MetLife’s Investment and Treasury teams will propose Eligible Assets to the Sustainable Financing Council, who will be responsible for ultimate review and selection of assets that meet the Framework’s eligibility criteria and that are consistent with MetLife’s policies. Sustainalytics considers the project selection process in line with market practice.
MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
MetLife will establish a Sustainable Finance Register to record an amount equal to the net proceeds from each MetLife Sustainable Financing and its allocation to Eligible Assets. The Investment and Sustainability teams will be in charge of maintaining and updating the register, which will be reviewed quarterly by the Sustainable Finance Council. Pending allocation, proceeds will be managed in accordance with MetLife’s normal liquidity activities. This is in line with market practice.
REPORTING
MetLife intends to provide allocation reporting on its website on an annual basis until full allocation. MetLife’s allocation reporting will include amounts allocated to each Eligible Category, the balance of unallocated net proceeds, and where feasible, a brief description of examples of Eligible Assets for each MetLife Sustainable Financing. In addition, MetLife, Inc. is committed to reporting on relevant qualitative and quantitative impact metrics where feasible. Sustainalytics views MetLife, Inc.’s allocation and impact reporting as aligned with market practice.