(Why) Are ESG Sovereign Bonds (Such) Scams?
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing is white hot. Investors are clamoring for "green" bonds, "blue" bonds, and other instruments that supposedly fund investments in socially beneficial activity. And borrowers are happy to meet the demand. Maybe too happy. Do sovereign issuers of green bonds and other ESG instruments actually promise to do anything at all with the proceeds? Would such promises be enforceable even if they were made? Color us skeptical. No guest this episode. We discuss the legal terms in sovereign green bonds... or rather, the lack of legal terms.
Producer: Leanna Doty