ADB raises $1.25bn for climate projects

2154

DHAKA, Aug 2, 2017 (BSS)-The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised $1.25 billion to help finance climate change mitigation and adaptation projects with the issue of dual-tranche 5-year and 10-year green bonds.

“ADB is responding to the rapidly growing demand for green bonds with our second dual-tranche outing and our first 5-year green bond offering,” said ADB Treasurer Pierre Van Peteghem.

“We have found the dual-pronged approach taken today to be an efficient means of reaching ethical investors active at different segments of the yield curve. This approach means that ADB is reaching an increasing number of investors who understand the importance of the green label,” said Pierre Van Peteghem.

Proceeds of the green bonds will support low-carbon and climate resilient projects funded through ADB’s ordinary capital resources and used in its non-concessional operations.

In 2015, ADB announced that it would double its annual climate financing to $6 billion by 2020. ADB’s support for climate change will rise to around 30 percent of its overall financing by the end of this decade.

Out of the $6 billion, $4 billion will be dedicated to mitigation through scaling up support for renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and building smart cities, while $2 billion will be for adaptation through more resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, and better preparation for climate-related disasters, according to the ADB.

The 5-year bond has an issue size of $750 million, a coupon rate of 1.875 percent per annum payable semi-annually and a maturity date of 10 August 2022. It was priced at 99.531 percent to yield 16.3 basis points over the 1.875 percent US Treasury notes due July 2022.

The 10-year bond has an issue size of $500 million, a coupon rate of 2.375 percent per annum payable semi-annually and a maturity date of 10 August 2027. It was priced at 99.172 percent to yield 20.5 basis points over the 2.375 percent US Treasury notes due May 2027.

The transactions were lead-managed by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Credit Agricole CIB, and J.P. Morgan. A syndicate group was also formed consisting of Citi, HSBC, Morgan Stanley, and TD Securities.

Both issues achieved wide primary market distribution with 24 percent of the 5-year bonds placed in Asia; 29 percent in Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and 47 percent in the Americas. By investor type, 38 percent of the bonds went to central banks and official institutions; 31 percent to banks; and 31 percent to fund managers.

For the 10-year bonds, 13 percent were placed in Asia; 69 percent in Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and 18 percent in the Americas. By investor type, 25 percent of the bonds went to central banks and official institutions; 52 percent to banks; and 23 percent to fund managers.

ADB plans to raise around $27 billion to $30 billion from the capital markets in 2017.