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The Climate Bonds Core Methodology for Data Products (Version 1.0, March 2026) provides the shared analytical framework, screening logic, and data architecture for all thematic debt datasets produced by the Climate Bonds Initiative. It establishes a consistent, science-based system to classify labelled-debt instruments—including green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked bonds—based on their credibility in contributing to environmental or social objectives.

The Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) outlines the methodology for its Social and Sustainability Bond Dataset (SSBD), detailing the criteria, screening processes, and classification systems used to evaluate debt instruments. The framework focuses on ensuring that bonds provide substantive social and environmental benefits to target populations while adhering to strict minimum safeguards to prevent 'greenwashing'.

The Climate Bonds Resilience Taxonomy (CBRT) Methodology provides a science-based classification system and interim screening criteria to identify and scale investments that contribute to climate adaptation and resilience. It establishes a framework to distinguish between different types of resilience investments and ensures they provide a measurable reduction in vulnerability without causing maladaptation or significant harm to other sustainability goals.

This guide details the methodology used by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) to screen and categorize self-labeled debt instruments for inclusion in the CBI Green Bond Database. The process ensures that included bonds align with the Climate Bonds Taxonomy and industry standards to support the goals of the Paris Agreement.