The Green Bond concept was developed in 2008 by SEB and the World Bank as a response to increased investor demand for engagement in climate-related opportunities. SEB issued its own first Green Bond, in the amount of EUR 500 million, in 2017. SEB is now looking to invest the proceeds from Green Bond investments into the Baltic countries, in order to offer Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian businesses the opportunity to apply for loans for their green projects.
Large companies in the Baltic countries can now apply for the Green Loan to support projects that help improve climate change, the environment and the ecosystem. When issuing a Green Loan, each project will be assessed individually, to make sure that it meets the Green Bond criteria; i.e. the project seeking a loan should be a low-carbon project, which supports environmental and ecosystem improvements as determined by the SEB Green Bond Framework.
The SEB Green Bond Framework
SEB finds that the banking sector has an important responsibility when it comes to establishing a more sustainable business environment, since it is through our financing, investments and clients that we are able to directly impact the future we are contributing to and the type of business we are promoting. Through green financing, we are contributing to a low-carbon business-model and sustainability, because the choices we make today are what define our opportunities for tomorrow. SEB’s goal is to remain a leader in the field of greener investments and to continue to support its clients in implementing more sustainable and environmentally friendly projects.
The Green Loan portfolio
About half of the SEB Group Green Loan portfolio consists of renewable energy projects, with the remainder comprised of the financing of green buildings, transportation and energy efficiency projects. Right now, Sweden accounts for 46 per cent of the Portfolio’s investments, followed by Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Source: SEB Green Bond Impact Report 2019
You have a green project that needs financing?
Please contact your SEB client executive for consultation.
