Green Bonds Market Summary Q1 2019

In Q1 2019, global green bond issuance reached USD 47.9 billion, a 42% increase over Q1 2018. The market was driven by non-financial corporates, particularly in the energy sector, and dominated by developed markets in the USA, France, and Canada. Energy, buildings, and transport accounted for 81% of the use of proceeds. The report also highlights that while post-issuance reporting is common among larger issuers and those with external reviews, there is a lack of consistency in the metrics used to report environmental impacts.

• Global green bond issuance in Q1 2019 totaled USD 47.9 billion, representing a 42% increase compared to the USD 33.8 billion issued in Q1 2018.
• Non-financial corporates were the primary drivers of issuance, accounting for 33% (USD 15.9 billion) of the quarterly global total, with the energy sector contributing USD 9.3 billion and property companies contributing USD 2.4 billion.
• Developed markets accounted for 81% of issuance volume, with the USA (USD 11.4 billion), France (USD 8.1 billion), and Canada (USD 3.3 billion) being the top three countries.
• The vast majority of funds (81%) were allocated to three sectors: energy (USD 14.2 billion, 30%), buildings (USD 12.8 billion, 27%), and transport (USD 11.4 billion, 24%).
• Certified Climate Bonds represented 14% of quarterly volumes, an increase from 6% in Q1 2018, with the highest issuance coming from France (USD 2.9 billion) and Australia (USD 1.1 billion).
• Analysis of post-issuance reporting for 1,927 bonds issued before November 2017 shows that 87% of issuance by amount provides reporting, though 14% of raised funds remain unallocated.
• Post-issuance reporting is more prevalent among larger issuers and benchmark-sized bonds (USD 500 million or more), and is positively correlated with the presence of an external review.
• The sustainability and social bond markets in Q1 2019 were led by Germany (USD 2.5 billion), South Korea (USD 1.2 billion), and France (USD 1.1 billion).

APA

Climate Bonds Initiative (2019). Green Bonds Market Summary Q1 2019. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Green-Bonds-Market-Summary-Q1-2019.pdf

Chicago

Climate Bonds Initiative. Green Bonds Market Summary Q1 2019. 2019. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Green-Bonds-Market-Summary-Q1-2019.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Bonds Initiative |title=Green Bonds Market Summary Q1 2019 |date=April 2019 |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Green-Bonds-Market-Summary-Q1-2019.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatebondsinitiative2019green, author = {{Climate Bonds Initiative}}, title = {{Green Bonds Market Summary Q1 2019}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, year = {2019}, month = apr, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Green-Bonds-Market-Summary-Q1-2019.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }