FINANCE

Green bonds: ENGIE is strengthening its position as leader

By ENGIE - 04 November 2021 - 17:49

At a time when the planet’s climate future is the centre of attention and as COP26 is being held in Glasgow, ENGIE is announcing the issue of EUR 1.5 billion in green bonds. We are therefore confirming our position as a corporate leader in the green finance market. The aim: to finance our energy transition plan to become carbon neutral.

 

New massive issue of green bonds for ENGIE

A pioneer in green finance, at the end of October, the group launched the issue of EUR 1.5 billion worth of green bonds. This brings our total amount of sustainable bonds to over EUR 14 billion, making the Group a world leader in this area. These green bonds are financial tools making it possible to finance the development of renewable energy projects or projects linked to energy efficiency. ENGIE is issuing them on a bond market, and financial stakeholders buy them against a fixed and guaranteed income over a given period. This new amount will be used to finance the future development of our green projects throughout the world, or to refinance our current portfolio of eligible green projects (renewable energy, green hydrogen storage, decarbonised distribution, energy efficiency, etc.). 

 

Recognition of our carbon neutral strategy

ENGIE’s bond offer is attracting investors as they have confidence in our sustainable growth plan and recognise our credit quality. It should be noted that the issue of these bonds has been mainly taken up by ESG investors (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance). This demonstrates our commitment to developing sustainable finance and the attractiveness of these financial instruments to responsible investors.

 

COP26 is also bringing together financiers involved in the fight against global warming

A frontrunner in green finance, our commitment is also part of a wider movement. COP26, currently being held in Glasgow in the United Kingdom, is bringing together international politicians to focus on issues relating to global warming, but also companies and financiers who are attending this summit to play their part in the transition to carbon neutrality. On Wednesday 3 November, 450 financial stakeholders - banks, insurance companies, asset managers, etc. - committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Coming from 45 countries, they represent approximately EUR 112 trillion in assets and must report annually on their progress and the emissions they finance.

 

Key figures:

  • EUR 1.5 billion in green bonds issued by ENGIE (October 2021)
  • Corporate leader in the issue of green bonds (with EUR 14.25 billion issued since 2014)
  • Over EUR 5 billion in requests from investors for this bond offering
  • Between 60 and 70% of orders allocated by ESG investors.