Project Details
Project
Standard Chartered Group Sustainability Bond Framework Second Party Opinion (2025)
Client
Standard Chartered Bank
Project Type
Social Bond/Loan; Sustainability Bond/Loan; Green Bond/Loan;
Industry Group
Banks
Use of Proceeds
Sustainable forestry; Sustainable agriculture; Socio-economic advancement; Renewable energy; SME finance and microfinance; Pollution prevention and control; Natural resources/land use management; Green buildings; Food security; Health; Energy efficiency; Education; Employment generation and Socio-economic empowerment; Climate change adaptation; Circular economy adapted products, production technologies and processes; Clean transport; Affordable housing; Access to essential services; Affordable basic infrastructure;
Location
U.K.
Evaluation Date
Dec 2025
Evaluation Summary
Standard Chartered Group has developed the Group Sustainability Bond Framework dated October 2025, under which it intends to finance or refinance projects globally in 15 environmental, social and cross-cutting categories.
We have assessed the overall Sustainability Contribution of the Framework as Significant based on the average Sustainability Contribution of the Framework’s 15 use of proceeds categories. As per our methodology, we have applied equal weighting across categories.
Investments in Clean Transportation and Eco-efficient and/or circular economy adapted products will strongly contribute to a low-carbon and circular economy. Renewable Energy generation projects, including waste-to-energy facilities, and bioenergy or biofuel production from animal manure, though viewed as interim solutions, are still expected to significantly advance low-carbon energy systems. Although Energy Efficiency investments in green hydrogen–based steel manufacturing will decarbonize the carbon-intensive steel sector, other sectors like household appliances and telecom networks where energy efficiency is not the primary objective can still yield significant energy savings. Sustainable Management of Living and Natural Resources expenditures will support sustainable agricultural practices; though livestock farming may still have some environmental impact. Pollution Prevention investments, including recycling single-use plastics – seen as a temporary solution until such materials are phased out – will markedly improve waste management systems. Finally, Sustainable Water and Climate Adaption investments such as, desalination, wastewater treatment, infrastructure resilience, climate monitoring solutions and climate adaptation insurance, will notably contribute to building sustainable water systems and enhancing resilience to climate impacts across sectors.
Expenditures under Access to Essential Services, Affordable Housing, Affordable Basic Infrastructure and Food Security may not always specifically target vulnerable groups or guarantee affordability but are expected to notably improve overall access to essential services and infrastructure. Support for Charities and SMEs is expected to modestly enhance financial access for such entities.
We have assessed the Framework as Aligned with the Green Bond Principles 2025, Social Bond Principles 2025 and Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2021.