Publications

Beyond transparency: unlocking the full potential of green bonds

8 June 2016 - Special issues - By : Ian COCHRAN, Phd

This report presents the latest study on the green bond market written by I4CE – Institute for Climate Economics with support by Credit Agricole CIB, EDF and Mirova. ‘Green’ or ‘climate’ bonds are a new asset class that has received increasing attention over the past few years as a financial instrument that may help overcome the low-carbon investment challenge. This report explores the current and potential contribution of green bonds to the low-carbon transition and different ways to enhance it.

 

The analysis begins by taking stock of the current status of the green bond market, identifying key roles that the market plays for different stakeholders and pin-pointing two key challenges to be addressed. The first challenge – namely the question of environmental integrity of green bonds – explores the stakes related to definitions and procedures and identifies possible approaches to deal with it. The second challenge focuses on how, beyond increasing transparency, both market-driven and public support measures may help increase the tangible financial contribution of green bonds to the low-carbon transition. The report then concludes with a number of possible steps for policymakers and financial stakeholders to overcome the current limitations of green bonds.

Beyond transparency: unlocking the full potential of green bonds Download
See appendices
  • Executive Summary : Beyond transparency: unlocking the full potential of green bonds Download
To learn more
  • 04/22/2025 Blog post
    Planning for the cost of climate action: a practical guide for local governments

    Local authorities play a leading role in ecological planning. As major contributors to public investment they have core responsibilities that can significantly accelerate the transition, such as expanding public transport networks or retrofitting public buildings for energy efficiency. According to I4CE, in France, local authorities in France need to double their investments in decarbonization by 2030 -without even accounting for future adaptation costs.

  • 04/10/2025
    Transition plans and remuneration policies: what are the challenges for financial actors?

    Integrating climate indicators into variable remuneration is a burning issue. Although it was removed at the last minute from negotiations on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the proposal is still very much alive in the policy debate . While the topic is becoming increasingly central to remuneration in large companies, it still appears to be a taboo within the banking sector. This requirement was already included in the European Central Bank’s supervisory guidelines as early as 2020, yet it appears to have been largely neglected by banks.

  • 03/28/2025 Hors série
    The pathway for climate investments in turbulent times – annual report 2024

    We are witnessing a withdrawal of commitments to climate action. In the US, President Donald Trump does not hide his hostility to what he calls the ‘climate hoax’. In Europe and in France, new narratives around competitiveness, strategic autonomy and security are gaining ground, reflecting a new political reality. If there is still a broad consensus on the long-term objective of climate neutrality, how to get there is increasingly challenged, generating uncertainty. The scarcity of fiscal resources impacts the willingness to embark on the green transition.

See all publications
Press contact Amélie FRITZ Head of Communication and press relations Email
Subscribe to our mailing list :
I register !
Subscribe to our newsletter
Once a week, receive all the information on climate economics
I register !
Fermer