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This research paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) proposes a framework to evaluate the credibility of corporate decarbonization transitions to prevent 'greenwashing' in transition finance. It introduces five essential characteristics for a credible transition—alignment with the Paris Agreement, robust planning, tangible action, internal oversight, and external reporting—and suggests a certification mechanism for Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs) and corporate entities to provide scientific, standardized benchmarks for investors.

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes a framework to evaluate the credibility of corporate decarbonization transitions to prevent greenwashing in sustainable finance. It introduces five 'hallmarks' of a credible transition—Paris-aligned goals, robust plans, implementation action, internal monitoring, and external reporting—and suggests a certification system to categorize companies as 'Green Transition' or 'Interim Transition'.

The Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) proposes a framework to evaluate the credibility of corporate decarbonization transitions to prevent greenwashing in sustainable finance. The proposal introduces five essential attributes for a credible transition: Paris Agreement-aligned goals, robust plans, implementation action, internal monitoring, and external reporting. The CBI intends to expand its certification scheme beyond Use-of-Proceeds (UoP) bonds to include Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs) and Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLLs), as well as certifying companies' overall transition agendas.

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) proposes a framework to assess the credibility of company decarbonisation transitions to prevent greenwashing in sustainable finance. It introduces five 'hallmarks' for a credibly transitioning company—Paris-aligned targets, robust plans, implementation action, internal monitoring, and external reporting—which CBI intends to use as the basis for certifying Sustainability Linked Bonds (SLBs), Sustainability Linked Loans (SLLs), and the companies themselves.

The 2020 China Green Bond Market Report, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative and the CCDC Research Center, analyzes the performance and policy landscape of China's green, social, and sustainable bond markets. It highlights a decline in green bond issuance in 2020 due to the pandemic, the emergence of pandemic-response bonds, and the ongoing effort to align domestic green definitions with international standards.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines how green and transition bonds can facilitate South Africa's shift from a coal-dependent energy system to a low-carbon economy. It analyzes the specific challenges of the South African market, the roles of major emitters like Eskom and Sasol, and provides frameworks for credible transition finance to avoid greenwashing.

The 'Electrical Grids and Storage Criteria' document, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in August 2021, establishes the technical eligibility requirements for grid-related assets and electricity storage projects to receive Climate Bonds Certification. It defines the scope of eligible infrastructure, sets mitigation and adaptation benchmarks, and provides a detailed checklist for assessing climate resilience to ensure investments contribute to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

The 2021 Green Infrastructure Investment Opportunities report by the Climate Bonds Initiative identifies significant low-carbon investment potential in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It details sector-specific opportunities in transport, energy, water, waste, buildings, and new infrastructure, while providing six strategic recommendations to mobilize private capital through green finance instruments and harmonized standards.

The 2021 report by the Climate Bonds Initiative identifies significant green infrastructure investment opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to mitigate high flood and climate risks. Key targets include over 69 billion USD for offshore wind in Guangdong and 135 billion USD for rail transit. The report emphasizes the need to move beyond public funding and PPPs by leveraging green bonds, ABS, and Hong Kong's capital markets, while recommending a unified green definition and a public project database to attract private investors.

This guide outlines the eligibility criteria for electrical grids and storage projects to receive Climate Bonds Certification. It defines the scope of eligible assets (transmission, distribution, and storage), establishes mitigation requirements (including automatic eligibility for certain renewable-supporting equipment), and mandates a comprehensive climate adaptation and resilience assessment. It also provides methodologies for calculating grid emission factors and outlines the reporting obligations for bond issuers.

The report 'Hoja de Ruta para una Taxonomía en Chile' provides a strategic framework for Chile to develop a national green taxonomy. It recommends an 'adopt, adapt, and lead' approach, prioritizing the Energy, Transport, Construction, and Industry sectors. It emphasizes the need for science-based, binary eligibility criteria aligned with the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal and suggests that Chile take a global leadership role in defining criteria for the mining sector. The roadmap proposes a three-level governance structure and recommends initially focusing the taxonomy's application on green debt instruments.

The Hong Kong Green Bond Market Briefing 2020 provides an analysis of green bond and loan activity in Hong Kong for the year 2020, detailing issuance volumes, sector allocations, and the broader sustainable finance ecosystem including the Greater Bay Area.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative analyzes post-issuance reporting practices for 694 green bonds (USD 212bn) issued between November 2017 and March 2019. It finds that while use-of-proceeds (UoP) reporting is widespread, impact reporting is less common and highly unstandardized. The study evaluates reporting quality through a scoring system, identifies best practices, and advocates for a global, harmonized reporting framework to move beyond binary labels toward absolute, entity-level sustainability assessments.

The Taxonomy Roadmap for Chile, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in May 2021, provides a strategic framework for the Chilean government to develop a national sustainable classification system. The report recommends a phased approach—adopting, adapting, and leading—to align Chile's green finance with international standards (such as the EU and China taxonomies) while addressing local economic specificities, particularly in the mining sector. It outlines governance structures, priority sectors for decarbonization, and the application of the taxonomy to green debt instruments to mobilize capital for Chile's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Nordic sustainable bond market reached a cumulative volume of USD 88.2bn by the end of 2020, representing 5% of the global Green, Social, and Sustainability (GSS) market. Green bonds dominate the region, accounting for 96% of the total GSS volume, with Sweden leading in issuance. The market is characterized by high transparency, with 99% of volume benefiting from external reviews and a strong presence of corporate and public sector issuers.

The Hydropower Criteria, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in March 2021, establishes the technical and environmental requirements for hydropower assets and projects to be eligible for certification under the Climate Bonds Standard. The criteria focus on two main components: climate mitigation (GHG emissions and power density) and climate adaptation and resilience (ESG gap analysis).

The Climate Bonds Initiative's Hydropower Criteria define the requirements for hydropower projects to achieve Climate Bonds Certification. Eligibility is based on meeting overarching Climate Bonds Standard disclosure rules, adhering to specific GHG emissions intensity and power density thresholds for mitigation, and passing an ESG Gap Analysis for adaptation and resilience. Projects with significant ESG gaps must implement an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) with strict closure timelines to remain eligible.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative provides a guide on utilizing green and sustainable bonds to finance low-carbon transport in Mexico. It highlights the sector's role as a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country and identifies specific investment opportunities in electric mobility, public transit, and freight logistics to meet national climate goals.

This briefing by the Climate Bonds Initiative explores the potential for using green and sustainable bonds to finance low-carbon transport (LCT) in Mexico. It highlights the transport sector's significant contribution to national greenhouse gas emissions and identifies specific infrastructure projects and corporate initiatives that could benefit from green financing to meet Mexico's climate goals, including its unique commitment to reduce black carbon.

This policy brief, prepared by the Climate Bonds Initiative in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and commissioned by the Brazilian Ministry of Economy, explores how subnational consortia in Brazil can utilize innovative financial modeling to fund sustainable municipal infrastructure. It analyzes the legal barriers facing Brazilian municipalities, proposes the adoption of pooled financing mechanisms (MFGCs), and provides international case studies to support a green economic recovery.