Climate Bonds Guide to Certification

The 'Climate Bonds Guide to Certification' outlines the framework for certifying sustainability-linked debt instruments (SLDs) under the Climate Bonds Standard. The scheme aims to ensure that these instruments are consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C by requiring science-based eligibility criteria, transition plans, and governance structures.

• The Climate Bonds Standard and Certification Scheme is a voluntary labelling system designed to support investments that align with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Since its launch in 2012, the scheme has certified over USD270bn of Use of Proceeds Green Bonds.
• Certification for sustainability-linked debt is restricted to instruments issued by legal entities and is only available for activities that have corresponding Climate Bonds Standard Sector Criteria. These instruments feature coupons linked to forward-looking commitments, typically company-level Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and rely on Performance Targets, Transition Plans, and Governance structures.
• Certification is available for both single sustainability-linked debt instruments and programmatic series of issuances. In both cases, proceeds can be used for general corporate expenses, provided the issuing company meets Entity certification requirements. Verification is required at the time of application and annually thereafter.

APA

Climate Bonds Initiative (2023). Climate Bonds Guide to Certification. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/supporting-documents/Climate-Bonds-SLD-Certification-Guide.pdf

Chicago

Climate Bonds Initiative. Climate Bonds Guide to Certification. 2023. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/supporting-documents/Climate-Bonds-SLD-Certification-Guide.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Bonds Initiative |title=Climate Bonds Guide to Certification |date=14 June 2023 |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/supporting-documents/Climate-Bonds-SLD-Certification-Guide.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatebondsinitiative2023climate, author = {{Climate Bonds Initiative}}, title = {{Climate Bonds Guide to Certification}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/supporting-documents/Climate-Bonds-SLD-Certification-Guide.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }