Sustainability-Linked Bonds: Our Framework for Assessment
- 18 January 2022 (7 min read)
AXA IM is committed to the idea that investors will be better positioned if they acknowledge and address climate change and sustainability in their portfolios. This has prompted us to carefully monitor the arrival of a new type of fixed income
asset class: Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs).
SLBs differ from Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds (GSSBs), a market where we have worked to achieve a leadership position for some years now. Unlike GSSBs, SLBs are not “use-of-proceeds” instruments – just like conventional debt, they are general purpose bonds. However, they do represent a new opportunity to fund the climate transition and other environmental and social challenges. They may also have the potential to deliver long-term, sustainable performance for our clients.
The main difference between SLBs and conventional bonds is that SLBs integrate objectives linked to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. According to the SLB principles set out by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) they are:
“…any type of bond instrument for which the financial and/or structural characteristics can vary depending on whether the issuer achieves predefined Sustainability/ ESG objectives. Those objectives are (i) measured through predefined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and (ii) assessed against predefined Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs).”1
Put simply, an SLB issuer will have to pay more to its investors if it fails to meet its predefined SPTs – and will still pay the same coupon if it succeeds. But this isn’t about greedy investors hoping SLB issuers fail in their sustainability ambitions – it is about responsible investors like AXA IM using SLBs to incentivise companies towards behaviour that we believe will benefit them, and us, over the long term.
SLBs could therefore act as a powerful tool, in particular, but not only, for high-emitting issuers to finance their transition towards a more sustainable business model. While GSSBs focus on specific projects and assets to be financed, SLBs establish a link between the issuer’s ESG ambitions and the financial characteristics of the bond. An issuer’s sustainability strategy may already form part of our GSSB assessment process, but it becomes the core feature for an SLB. Despite the differences, we see a common issue in these two types of instruments: There is no consensus on what a high-quality SLB is. AXA IM has therefore decided to define its proprietary framework for evaluating SLBs, and we set out our methodology and criteria in the document available for download below.
We want to highlight that SLBs will not be part of our green and impact investments – as opposed to GSSBs – but rather of our transition investments. We consider that SLBs and use-of-proceeds transition bonds both relate to transition finance instruments that will allow AXA IM to take an active role in powering that transition – in addition to our green and impact investing strategies through GSSBs.
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Disclaimer
This website is published by AXA Investment Managers Asia (Singapore) Ltd. (Registration No. 199001714W) for general circulation and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment research or financial analysis relating to transactions in financial instruments, nor does it constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies an offer to buy or sell any investments, products or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice, a recommendation for an investment strategy or a personalized recommendation to buy or sell securities. It has been prepared without taking into account the specific personal circumstances, investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person and may be subject to change without notice. Please consult your financial or other professional advisers if you are unsure about the information contained herein.
Due to its simplification, this publication is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee forecasts made will come to pass. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions and other information in this publication is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this publication. Whilst every care is taken, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained herein. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.
All investment involves risk, including the loss of capital. The value of investments and the income from them can fluctuate and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Some of the Services and/or products may not be available for offer to retail investors.
This publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Disclaimer
This website is published by AXA Investment Managers Asia (Singapore) Ltd. (Registration No. 199001714W) for general circulation and informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment research or financial analysis relating to transactions in financial instruments, nor does it constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies an offer to buy or sell any investments, products or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice, a recommendation for an investment strategy or a personalized recommendation to buy or sell securities. It has been prepared without taking into account the specific personal circumstances, investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person and may be subject to change without notice. Please consult your financial or other professional advisers before making any investment decision.
Due to its simplification, this publication is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee forecasts made will come to pass. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions and other information in this publication is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this publication. Whilst every care is taken, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained herein. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.
All investment involves risk, including the loss of capital. The value of investments and the income from them can fluctuate and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
Some of the Services and/or products may not be available for offer to retail investors.
This publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.