Exploring the Credibility of ESG Bond Issuance

Can Someone Explain What is Happening to SLBs? A year and a half or so ago, we were working on a paper with UVA’s Quinn Curtis on how the promises being made in the typical “use of proceeds” Green Bonds were empty. In the course of that project, we had loads of conversations with industry insiders, who largely agreed, but said that we were studying a thing of the past. The product of the future was the sustainability linked bond (slb). Unlike boring “use of proceeds” bonds, these had real incentives and were going to replace the 1st generation simplistic products. Now, at the end of 2023, we are hearing that this product is in disfavor in the markets. Why? What’s going on? Not sure we have answers – but we sure have questions and speculations. Producer: Leanna Doty