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The Climate Bonds Social and Sustainability Bond Dataset Methodology (2025) outlines the criteria and screening processes used by the Climate Bonds Initiative to identify and classify credible social and sustainability (S&S) bonds. The methodology focuses on ensuring that the use of proceeds (UoP) provides substantial benefits to defined target populations and aligns with global sustainability goals while avoiding absolute exclusions such as fossil fuel exploration.

The Sustainability-Linked Bond Database Methodology, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in June 2023, outlines the criteria and screening processes for including sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) in its database. The methodology focuses on decarbonisation, using a 'climate change mitigation overlay' to assess whether bonds are aligned with 1.5°C or below 2°C sectoral pathways. It defines specific requirements for instrument eligibility, public disclosure, and the calibration of Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs), categorising bonds as Fully-aligned, Strongly-aligned, Aligning, or not-aligned based on their adherence to science-based pathways and transition plans.

This document outlines the methodology used by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) to collect, screen, and maintain its Sustainability Linked Bonds (SLB) database. The methodology focuses on the 'decarbonization' attributes of debt instruments, evaluating whether their sustainability performance targets (SPTs) align with a 1.5°C warming scenario or the best available alternative paths.