Companies are increasingly looking for opportunities to meet their sustainability performance targets while continuing to drive positive impact and change. As green financing continues to grow as a key priority for corporates, the emergence of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) has opened the door for more issuers to participate in sustainable financing, helping to diversify economic options available to companies and investors.
Learn more about Sustainalytics’ Sustainability-Linked Bond service.
Latest Insights
Sustainability-Linked Bonds Methodology Backgrounder
Sustainability-Linked Bonds Methodology Video
Our Sustainability-Linked Bond Service
To support issuers in their pursuit of issuing credible sustainability linked bonds, Sustainalytics offers a second-party opinion service (SPO) on the SLB, which covers the following:
Detailed assessment of the alignment with the SLB Principles, which assures investors that the transaction is credible and aligns with market expectations.
Through a collaborative process with the company, we do a thorough assessment of the sustainability strategy to ensure it aligns with best practices.
Assessment of the expected impact of the Sustainability Performance Targets (SPT) and the contribution to the SDGs.
Meet Market Expectation
External verification that your bond aligns with the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles.
Signal Your Intended Impact
Assure investors that achieving the sustainability performance targets has a positive environmental and social impact.
Gain Investors' Confidence
An SPO from a trusted ESG ratings provider, like Sustainalytics, provides additional assurance on the credibility of the issuer.
Highlight Your Sustainability Efforts
Sustainalytics' SPO speaks to your sustainability strategy and how the targets fit into your past and future sustainability efforts.
KPI-SPT Assessment Service
At Sustainalytics we also offer a KPI-SPT Assessment. The assessment is an evaluation of the relevance and materiality of an issuer’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the ambitiousness of the associated Sustainable Performance Targets (SPTs) that can be considered as part of the potential Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB).
Non-public Assessment
The final report is a non-public assessment and can be used by the issuer teams only for internal purposes
Sustainalytics Methodology
Final report will be a detailed KPI-SPT assessment in line with Sustainalytics’ SLB methodology
Option to Extend
Issuer can extend the engagements to a full Second Party Opinion within 12 months
No SPO commitment required.
The internal report can be used to inform Framework development process.
Contract value
The assessment offered can be extended to a full SPO
Expedited Assessment
The KPI-SPT has a quick turnaround time
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.
30 Years of ESG Expertise
500+ ESG research analysts across our global offices.
A Leading SPO Provider
As recognized by Environmental Finance and the Climate Bonds Initiative.
Related Insights and Resources
Does ESG Impact Valuation? Answering the Most Common Questions About IPO ESG Assessments
Companies working toward an IPO increasingly understand that having an effective ESG strategy is an important strategic consideration for investors and regulators alike. This FAQ answers the most common questions about what an ESG assessment involves.
What’s Happening in Sustainable Finance: The Shifting Regulatory Landscape, Reporting on Impact, Focus on Biodiversity, and More
In this month’s rundown of all things sustainable finance, we look at shifting regulations for investors, issuers and service providers, how issuers can measure the impact of their GSSS bonds, and the growing spotlight on biodiversity in financial markets.
Preparing for an IPO: How an ESG Assessment Can Make a Difference
For pre-IPO companies, having a plan to manage ESG issues and disclosures can make a difference in pre-IPO fundraising, valuation, building credibility in the market, and contributing to the overall success of an IPO. This blog post explains why.
The Next Frontier - Impact Reporting
The increasing urgency of the climate crisis has resulted in most investors demanding for more information about the extent to which their investments and portfolios are aligned with the 2°C Paris Agreement target. A recent Environmental Finance Report indicated that 90% of investors regard impact reports as ‘crucial’ and yet 75% of them said that current impact reporting practices are ‘inadequate’ and the lack of impact reporting deterred them from making further investments.
Related Products
Green and Sustainability Bonds
Instill investor confidence in environmentally- and sustainability-focused bonds with an SPO.
Transition Bonds
Transition bonds can facilitate a shift of a company’s business activities along a transition pathway compatible with long-term climate goals.
Second-Party Opinions
Provide potential investors with assurance that the framework conforms to accepted market principles.