Project Details
Project
Tennessee Valley Authority Sustainable Financing Framework Second-Party Opinion (2021)
Client
Tennessee Valley Authority
Project Type
Sustainability Bond/Loan
Industry Group
Utilities
Use of Proceeds
Renewable energy; Energy efficiency; Climate change adaptation; Access to essential services;
Location
U.S.
Evaluation Date
Sep 2021
Evaluation Summary
Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the Tennessee Valley Authority Sustainable Financing Framework is credible and impactful and aligns with the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2021, Green Bond Principles 2021, Social Bond Principles 2021, Green Loan Principles 2021, and Social Loan Principles 2021. This assessment is based on the following:
USE OF PROCEEDS
The six eligible categories for the use of proceeds are aligned with those recognized by the 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 (“SDGs”), specifically SDGs 7, 9, and 13.
PROJECT EVALUATION / SELECTION
Tennessee Valley Authority’s Treasury department, along with its internal accounting and other functions, will be responsible for the evaluation and selection of Eligible Sustainable Expenditures. Tennessee Valley Authority’s Financial Operations & Performance department, or equivalent functions, will provide oversight. Tennessee Valley Authority has environmental and social risk management processes in place that are applicable to all allocation decisions made under the Framework. Sustainalytics considers this process to be adequate and aligned with market practice.
MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
Tennessee Valley Authority’s Treasury department, along with its business planning, accounting, and other internal resources, will be responsible for the allocation and tracking of bond proceeds per the criteria defined in the Framework. The unallocated proceeds may be held in cash, cash equivalents or invested in liquid marketable instruments, in accordance with Tennessee Valley Authority’s liquidity management policy. This is in line with market practice.
REPORTING
Tennessee Valley Authority intends to provide allocation reporting on its website on an annual basis until full allocation, and thereafter in the event of material developments. The allocation reporting is expected to include category-level details on the allocation of proceeds, brief description of eligible projects, and the balance of unallocated proceeds. In addition, Tennessee Valley Authority intends to report on relevant qualitative and quantitative impacts, where feasible, and has provided indicative metrics within the Framework. Sustainalytics views Tennessee Valley Authority’s allocation and impact reporting as aligned with market practice.