Record sales of green bonds in the first half of 2024

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Bloomberg or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Green bond sales surged to a record $356 billion in the first half of 2024, according to Bloomberg
• The first quarter saw a peak of $191 billion, while the second quarter sales were $165 billion
• Government bond issues played a significant role, with notable contributions from Italy and Japan

🔭 The context: The broader category of sustainable bonds also reached new heights, with total issuance hitting $328 billion in Q1 2024, up 7.5% year-over-year
• This category includes green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked bonds

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: These bonds finance projects with environmental and social benefits, supporting global efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development

⏭️ What's next: Japan plans to significantly increase its issuance of green transition bonds over the next decade, indicating ongoing growth in this market.

💬 One quote: "The first half of 2024 has been the busiest on record for green bonds, driven by substantial government issuance," said Jonathan Gardiner, Sustainable Indices Product Manager at Bloomberg

📈 One stat: The first half of 2024 saw a record $356 billion in green bond sales, the highest since the market's inception

Click for more news covering the latest on sustainable finance