World Bank, Daiwa Securities Group Issue Green Bonds Designed for Japanese Investors

Copyright Daiwa Securities Group

The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and Japan's Daiwa Securities Group announced on December 29, 2009, that they would issue and market the first ever World Bank green bonds designed for Japanese investors. These five-year bonds were issued in New Zealand dollars. World Bank green bonds are intended to support projects that meet specific criteria for low-carbon development; thus investors can contribute to addressing global warming through their investment.

World Bank green bonds were first issued in November 2008 as a means to raise funds necessary for global warming solutions from the private sector. The bank has so far issued its green bonds equivalent to US$960 million, and allocated the funds to projects in various areas such as alternative energy installations, development of greenhouse gas reduction technologies, reforestation, watershed management and flood protection, which were carefully selected by its climate change experts. The bank also monitors these projects.

Specific examples of projects supported by World Bank green bonds include an energy efficiency project in Montenegro and a project to increase the use of renewable energy in rural areas in Argentina.

Daiwa Securities Group official website
http://www.daiwa-grp.jp/ir/english/index.cfm
First World Bank Green Bonds Designed for Japanese Investors
http://beta.worldbank.org/climatechange/node/5286

Posted: 2010/04/05 06:00:15 AM

TAG Eco-product/Business , Non-manufacturing industry