The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced it has passed the €100 billion mark in total Climate Awareness Bonds (CAB) and Sustainability Awareness Bonds (SAB) issuance since producing the world’s first green bond in 2007.
The EIB marked this milestone at the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, which the EIB called “the world’s reference exchange for sustainable bonds.”
Nadia Calviño, president of the European Investment Bank, visited the LuxSE for the first time to mark the milestone.
She also discussed the future of the green bond market in the context of the EU agendas for Sustainable Finance and the Savings and Investment Union.
“In the presence of Luxembourg Minister of Finance Gilles Roth, the EIB and LuxSE put the spotlight on the EIB’s unique contribution to bringing more clarity to sustainable finance and the role of the broader financial ecosystem in Luxembourg in advancing sustainable investment,” said the EIB.
The EIB said the Luxembourg Stock Exchange has more than 44,000 listed securities, including 40,000 debt instruments, from 1,800 issuers in 100 countries.
LuxSE is one of the world’s leading exchanges for the listing of international debt securities and offers an integrated service offering covering listing, trading and information services.
In 2016, LuxSE launched the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX) and became the first exchange in the world to operate a platform dedicated entirely to sustainable securities.
Roth said: “The EIB’s achievement of surpassing €100 billion in sustainable bonds is remarkable and highlights the transformative role of finance in addressing global challenges.
“Each of these bonds has had a tangible impact – on the real economy, on people’s lives and on the planet. While this milestone is significant, we must continue to push boundaries.
“This partnership between the EIB and the LuxSE sets a high standard for the global financial community to follow. Luxembourg remains committed to fostering international partnerships to strengthen sustainable finance globally.”
EIB President Nadia Calviño said: “The milestone we are celebrating today reflects the exponential development of the sustainable bond market as well as the strong partnership between the EIB and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
“Since pioneering the green bond market in 2007, the EIB has unlocked €100 billion of investor support for climate action and sustainability, with Luxembourg now a global centre for sustainable finance.
“The EIB will continue to support the green transition also by leading the emergence of a standardised green bond market in the context of deeper and stronger capital markets in Europe.”
LuxSE CEO Julie Becker said: “Today marks an important milestone not just for the EIB but also for the sustainable finance market more broadly.
“Since it pioneered the green bond market 17 years ago, the EIB has spearheaded market developments and led the way towards more standardisation, better reporting and more transparency for investors.
“Thanks to its leading role, the EIB has been a crucial partner and inspiration for LuxSE’s sustainable finance initiatives.”