Green bonds: number of bonds issued in selected European countries 2020

Green bonds are fixed income securities which finance investments with environmental or climate-related benefits. The investments can be targeted at new or existing projects on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable waste management, sustainable land use, efficient buildings, clean transportation, sustainable water management, or climate change adaptation.

Volume and value of green bonds issuance in Europe

Europe is a world leader in the issuance of green bonds. Combined, the countries with a developed green bond market issued a total of 156.04 billion U.S. dollars in green bonds in 2020. While Sweden came fourth by value of bonds, it accounted for the highest number of bond issuance.

Banks and the green bond market

In the recent years, banks have been looking for ways achieve more environmentally and socially responsible portfolio, facilitating the development of a thriving green bond market. Between 2016 and 2019, Barclays PLC has more than doubled the value of green bonds in their portfolio. Other European banks active on the green bond market are BNP Paribas and HSBC.