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The Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) Social and Sustainability Bond Database (SSBDB) Methodology outlines the criteria and process for identifying and classifying social and sustainability-labelled debt instruments. The database aims to provide transparency on global social and sustainability debt, including use-of-proceeds (UoP) bonds and sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), while ensuring these instruments do not cause significant harm to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

In H1 2022, GSS+ labelled debt volumes reached USD417.8bn, a 27% year-on-year decrease driven by inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical instability. Green bonds remained the largest segment (52% of volume), with China emerging as the most prolific country. While social and sustainability bonds declined, sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) grew by 5.2%, and transition UoP bonds saw a 2.5-fold increase from Q1 to Q2. Key policy shifts included the EU's inclusion of gas and nuclear as transitional activities and the launch of green taxonomies in Colombia and South Africa.

The Hong Kong Green and Sustainable Debt Market Briefing 2021, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative, analyzes the growth and composition of the GSS+ (green, social, sustainability, transition, and sustainability-linked) debt market in Hong Kong for the year 2021. The report highlights a significant expansion in green debt instruments, the role of the HKSAR Government in driving market growth, and the city's efforts to establish itself as an international green finance hub through the adoption of the Common Ground Taxonomy (CGT).

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes the certification of short-term debt instruments—defined as those with a maturity at issuance of less than 365 days—to mobilize more capital for climate action. It argues that while green bond standards have historically focused on longer-term debt, the USD55tn short-term debt market represents a significant untapped source of green capital. The paper outlines how various instruments, including Commercial Paper and Green Repos, can be certified under the Climate Bonds Standard, primarily through the Use of Proceeds (UoP) principle, and recommends the development of a 'pure-play' entity definition to further scale the market.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative provides an overview of the global sustainable bond market in the first quarter of 2022, noting that cumulative issuance of GSS+ bonds surpassed $3 trillion despite a quarterly decline in issuance volume due to market volatility, rising interest rates, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The China Green Bond Market Report 2021, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative and CCDC Research, analyzes the rapid expansion of China's green bond market in 2021. The report highlights a record high in annual issuance, the shift toward non-financial corporate issuers, and the dominance of renewable energy projects in the use of proceeds, all occurring against the backdrop of China's '30·60' carbon targets.

The 'China Green Bond Market Report 2021', published by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) and the China Central Depository & Clearing Co., Ltd. (CCDC) Research Center, analyzes the rapid growth of China's green bond market in 2021. The report highlights a significant increase in issuance, a shift toward non-financial corporate issuers, and the dominance of renewable energy investments, all aligned with China's 'dual carbon' goals of peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative analyzes the state of the sustainable debt market in India as of December 31, 2021. It details the growth of green, social, and sustainability (GSS) bonds and sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), highlighting the dominance of the green sector and the role of non-financial corporates. The document also explores growth avenues in renewable energy, electric vehicles, waste management, and agriculture, while outlining the policy framework being developed by the Indian Ministry of Finance.

The Sustainable Debt Market Summary Q1 2022 reports that cumulative GSS+ labelled debt reached USD3 trillion by the end of the first quarter of 2022. Despite this milestone, the market experienced a year-on-year decline in issuance volumes of nearly 30% due to market volatility, rising interest rates, and the war in Ukraine.

This fact sheet outlines the eligibility criteria for residential buildings in Colombia to be certified under the Climate Bonds Standard, specifically utilizing the CASA Colombia v2.1 rating scheme and requirements for property upgrades.

This fact sheet outlines the eligibility criteria for social housing buildings in Colombia to be certified under the Climate Bonds Standard, specifically utilizing the CASA Colombia v2.1 rating scheme and requirements for residential property upgrades.

The 'China Green Finance Policy Analysis Report 2021' examines the evolution of China's green bond market and the impact of national and regional policy frameworks. It highlights a significant market rebound in 2021, the unification of domestic standards through the Green Bond Endorsed Project Catalogue, and a positive correlation between local policy efficacy and green bond issuance. The report identifies challenges in information disclosure and asset selection, recommending the development of transition finance standards and enhanced transparency to attract further international and domestic capital.

The 2021 China Green Bonds Investor Survey reveals a strong appetite for high-quality green bonds, particularly in renewable energy and low-carbon transport. While financial and corporate bonds are preferred, international investors are hindered by regulatory entry barriers and quotas. The report emphasizes that market growth depends on robust credit fundamentals, transparent green credentials, and the alignment of national green taxonomies with international standards to mitigate greenwashing risks.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative and EsgSolution analyzes the state of green finance policy in China in 2021, focusing on the alignment of green bond standards with carbon neutrality goals, the impact of regional policies, and the expectations of market stakeholders.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative analyzes post-issuance reporting practices for green bonds in China, focusing on the availability and quality of Use of Proceeds (UoP) and environmental impact disclosures. While China possesses a stringent regulatory framework, the report finds that reporting availability is lower than global averages, particularly regarding impact disclosure. The study highlights a strong preference for core metrics and cumulative impact reporting among Chinese issuers, while identifying inconsistencies across different regulatory bodies and bond types.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), funded by UK PACT, examines the development, unification, and implementation of green taxonomies globally. It focuses on the methodologies used to define green economic activities, compares the frameworks of the European Union and China, and discusses the 'Common Ground Taxonomy' designed to improve interoperability between these two major markets to facilitate cross-border green capital flows.

This report analyzes the global development of green taxonomies, highlighting three main approaches: whitelist-based, technical screening criteria (TSC), and principle-based. It focuses on the alignment between the EU and China taxonomies, noting that while the EU emphasizes six environmental objectives and strict 'do no significant harm' (DNSH) criteria, China focuses on three broader objectives aligned with its national pollution and climate goals. The report emphasizes the Common Ground Taxonomy (CGT) as a tool to reduce market fragmentation and facilitate cross-border investment. It also discusses implementation, noting mandatory disclosure requirements in the EU and mandatory labeling for onshore green bonds in China.

This fact sheet by the Climate Bonds Initiative outlines five collective actions required to scale annual green bond issuance to 5 trillion dollars by 2025 to effectively address climate change risks.

This fact sheet by the Climate Bonds Initiative outlines five collective actions required to increase annual green bond issuance to USD 5 trillion by 2025 to effectively address climate change risks.

This policy briefing by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines the expansion of carbon pricing into trade and economic policy, specifically focusing on the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). It argues that carbon pricing, when combined with preferential treatment for green goods and a 'Just Transition' spending policy, can drive global green capital flows and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.