Companies can leverage their ESG performance to improve their bottom line and their company’s overall ESG performance through Sustainability Linked Loans (SLLs). SLLs give borrowers the opportunity to apply the loan toward general business purposes as the terms are tied solely to the borrowers ESG-related performance and not the use of proceeds or the projects financed. This flexibility has made the SLL a popular alternative to traditional capital raising and debt.
Learn more about our SLL service.
Latest Insights
Tracking the Progress on Gender Equality through Sustainable Finance
Future-Proofing Supply Chains: Supply Chain Sustainability and Key Trends in 2021
Key Benefits
Sustainalytics works with banks and companies to build the Sustainability Linked Loan Program. Our solutions are aligned to the Sustainability Linked Loan Principles and we work in-close collaboration with the borrower and the client to identify and track the ideal metrics that the Sustainability Linked Loan will be tied to.

Expand lending portfolios and meet firm-wide sustainability financing commitments

Incentivize corporate clients to improve their sustainability performance

Leverage credible third party ratings and opinions to accelerate lending process

Support positioning as sustainable finance leader

Assist to meet public commitments made for sustainable finance

Deeper relationship and engagement with customers

Access to discounted loan rates

Improve overall sustainability performance

Demonstrate sustainability commitment to stakeholder

Flexibility to use the funds for general corporate purposes

Deepen relationship and interactions with banks

Drive internal alignment across the business
Our Sustainability Linked Loans Offer
Opinions on KPI's | License our ESG Risk Rating | |
---|---|---|
Part of company's strategy | ✔ | ✔ |
Includes SLL Principles verification letter | ✔ | ✔ |
Opinion based on ESG Risk Rating methodology | ✔ | ✔ |
Independent and credible rating | ✔ | |
Holistic view of overall ESG performance | ✔ | |
Comparable across industries and companies | ✔ | |
Annual update with change reports | ✔ | |
Controversy alerts | ✔ |
Why Sustainalytics?

A Single Market Standard
Consistent approach to ESG assessments across the investment spectrum.

Award-Winning Research and Data
Firm recognized as Best ESG Research and Data Provider by Environmental Finance and Investment Week.

End-to-End ESG Solutions
ESG products and services that serve the entire investment value chain.

25+ Years ESG Expertise
350+ ESG research analysts across our global offices.

Largest Second-Party Opinion Provider
As recognized by Environmental Finance and the Climate Bonds Initiative.
Related Insights and Resources
Sustainability-Linked Loans 2021: The COVID-19 Effect, ESG Ratings & Continued Popularity
The sustainable finance market has seen an exponential increase in size and activity in recent years. Innovative offerings such as green, social, and sustainable bonds, green and sustainability-linked loans (SLLs), and most recently sustainability-linked bonds, have contributed to the market’s incredible growth. In 2020, boosted by varied financial needs and mainstream recognition of environmental, social and governance (ESG) parameters, global sustainable debt capital surpassed US$700 billion, a 30% increase compared to 2019. Part of this capital was channelled towards tackling the effects of COVID-19 as government agencies, supranational bodies and corporates borrowed money to support areas most affected by the pandemic, such as healthcare. This shift in fund usage in 2020 resulted in the rapid growth of social bonds and a commendable first year for sustainability-linked bonds.
Tracking the Progress on Gender Equality through Sustainable Finance
A key result of achieving UN SDG 5 - Gender Equality is global economic development. However, as women globally were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the financing of activities that contribute to the empowerment and socio-economic advancement of women and girls will need to be accelerated to meet the goal by 2030. One option for creating targeted gender investment is the development and issuance of Gender Bonds that specifically support the advancement, empowerment, and equality of women.
Future-Proofing Supply Chains: Supply Chain Sustainability and Key Trends in 2021
Given the accelerating trends in sustainable supply chain management, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations throughout the supply chain will be a key priority for companies in 2021 and beyond.
Gender Equality in Supply Chains: An Opportunity to Increase Positive Impacts
It’s well known that inequalities between men and women still exist in the workplace. Women are less likely to fill senior leadership positions (29% in North America), earn less (81 cents per dollar in the US) and own fewer businesses (39% of businesses in the US) than men.
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