The report in brief
Projects financed through Handelsbanken's green bond contributed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by a total of 218,388 tonnes in 2019. The main areas from which the reduced emissions can be derived are renewable energy, cogeneration, and sustainable forest management.
The approved green assets in Handelsbanken’s green register increased in 2019. At the time of issue, in the summer of 2018, these amounted to approximately SEK 10bn. At the end of 2019, the volume totalled SEK 12.1bn. The report covers all projects which have been financed within our green bond framework. Three customer projects from the following categories are also presented: Green buildings, Sustainable forest management, and Renewable energy. The estimated annual energy production from financed projects amounts to 825 GWh.
The report has been audited by Ernst & Young.
Our green bond
In June 2018, Handelsbanken issued its first green bond: a five-year green senior bond for EUR 500 million. The issue was made possible by the Green Bond Framework which the Bank produced in the first half of the same year. The Framework received a rating of ‘Dark Green Shade’ – the highest possible – from Cicero, the Center for International Climate Research, an independent body.
By issuing green bonds, we are able to finance customer investments and projects that help to reduce climate impact and increase environmental sustainability.