Search Climate Insights Directory

The Climate Bonds Initiative conducted a scoping exercise to identify the potential for US municipal issuers to scale up green bond issuance. The study identified USD 264 billion in outstanding bonds from 1,436 'pure-play' climate-aligned issuers—entities deriving more than 95% of their revenue from climate solutions—most of which are not currently labeled as green bonds.

A case study on Iselula Crushing in Blackheath, Cape Town, detailing the processing of builders' rubble into construction aggregates and the diversion of waste from landfills.

This report details a trade mission from the Netherlands to Cape Town, South Africa, held from May 22-25, 2018. Organized by GreenCape in cooperation with the Netherlands Government, the mission focused on the circular economy and biomass valorisation, specifically targeting organic wet streams, invasive species, construction and demolition waste, plastics, and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for groundwork, Earthlife Africa, and Concerned Citizens of Lephalale, submitted comments on 15 June 2018 objecting to the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and Waste Management Licence (WML) Variation Application for the Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) Retrofit Project at Medupi Power Station. The CER argues that the FEIR is deficient due to missing data, a 'piecemeal' approach to environmental authorisations, and a failure to adequately assess water and waste impacts.

A Green Bond Fact Sheet detailing an 800 million SEK green bond issued by Stena Metall Finans AB on June 1, 2018, to finance waste recycling projects in Sweden.

This case study describes the repurposing of 19,600 tonnes of builders' rubble from a historical berm in Hermanus, Western Cape. Iselula Crushing processed the material for use in local construction projects, including schools and a mall, resulting in significant material and landfill cost savings.

This fact sheet details a TWD1Bn (USD190m) green bond issued by Taiwan Business Bank on January 5, 2018, with a three-year tenor. The proceeds are allocated to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and waste management, aligning with Taiwanese government green bond requirements.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for groundWork and Earthlife Africa, submitted comments on April 19, 2018, regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and Waste Management Licence (WML) Variation Application for the Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) Retrofit Project at Medupi Power Station. The CER argues that Eskom has adopted a 'piecemeal approach' to the environmental impact assessment (EIA), deferring critical issues such as water security, waste minimisation, and health impacts to separate processes to 'fast track' the project. The submission specifically challenges the rejection of inlet gas cooler technology, which could reduce water consumption by approximately 30%, and criticizes the plan to co-dispose of gypsum and ash, which would destroy the commercial value of the gypsum.

This fact sheet details a CNY 620 million (USD 98.7 million) private placement green bond issued by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co on March 27, 2018, intended for battery and cobalt waste recycling and wastewater treatment efficiency.

This fact sheet details a JPY2bn (USD18m) green bond issued by Hong Kong & China Gas on 24 November 2017. The bond finances renewable energy and waste management projects, specifically wastewater treatment, landfill gas conversion, and biofuels, while excluding nuclear and fossil-fuel-related efficiency projects. The Climate Bonds Initiative has confirmed the bond's alignment with its Taxonomy.

A fact sheet detailing a CNY 100 million green bond issued by Sihui Rural Commercial Bank on April 10, 2018, to fund waste recycling, public transport, and environmental infrastructure projects.

A fact sheet detailing a USD 650 million dual-currency green bond issued by Beijing Capital Group on March 26, 2018, to finance environmental projects including water and waste management, low carbon transport, sustainable agriculture, and certified green buildings.

A fact sheet detailing a CNY 2.5 billion green bond issued by Huarong Xiangjiang Bank on March 15, 2018, to fund projects in clean energy, transport, water, and waste management.

This fact sheet details a SEK 200 million (USD 24.2 million) green bond issued by Vellinge Municipality on March 8, 2018, with a five-year tenor maturing in 2023. The bond is intended to fund projects across energy, buildings, water and wastewater, waste management, and adaptation and resilience.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA) and groundWork (gW), submitted a statement to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 1 March 2018. The statement outlines critical shortcomings in ArcelorMittal South Africa's (AMSA) Land Contamination Site Assessment Report for its Vanderbijlpark site, arguing that the report is non-compliant with the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008 (NEMWA) and fails to adequately address serious contamination migrating off-site.

This case study describes a resource recovery project facilitated by the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) between Pallet Cycle and Apollo Brick. Following a fire at Pallet Cycle's storage facility, WISP arranged for Apollo Brick to repurpose the resulting waste material, diverting it from landfills and providing economic and environmental benefits to both companies.

The Carbon-Free City Handbook, published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in November 2017, provides a guide for city governments to implement 22 "no-regrets" actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The handbook focuses on five key sectors: buildings, transportation and mobility, electricity, industry, and biological resources, offering a framework for cities to transition toward 100% renewable energy and carbon-free operations through immediate, actionable, and economically viable policies.

EcoPost, founded by Lorna Rutto in 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya, recycles plastic waste into durable building materials to combat urban pollution and deforestation. The company targets 1 million kilos of recycling annually, employs over 2,250 people (including 2,000 casual collectors), and provides health benefits and above-average wages. By replacing timber, EcoPost helps mitigate the loss of 5,000 hectares of Kenyan forest per year.

This report by GreenCape identifies business opportunities for adding value to lignocellulosic biomass waste streams in the Western Cape, South Africa. It analyzes five primary streams: invasive alien vegetation (IAV), industrial composite wood materials, pallets, paper sludge, and green waste, evaluating their current utilization, logistical challenges, and potential for transformation into higher-value products or energy.

This report by GreenCape identifies business opportunities for adding value to livestock waste streams, specifically manure and abattoir waste, within the Western Cape of South Africa. It details the regional distribution of waste sources, current disposal methods, and the regulatory and technical barriers to implementing value-addition technologies like anaerobic digestion and composting.