ESG-Labeled Bonds: Quality Over Quantity

14 August 2024

1 min read

ESG-Labeled Bond Issuance Has Declined, but Quality Has Improved

AB’s ESG-labeled bond quality (or strength) score has risen continuously since 2018, while annual issuance peaked in 2021.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.
AB ESG-labeled bond strength score represents a proprietary analysis of ESG-labeled bonds 12 months after they were issued. The rating is based on the bonds’ stated targets and progress towards those targets. A higher score reflects a stronger ESG-labeled bond. Scores shown above are the market average for each vintage year.
Through December 31, 2023
Source: Bloomberg, LGX Datahub and AB

After a rapid ascent, issuance of ESG-labeled bonds has fallen back recently, even as we’ve observed that the overall quality of the market has improved (Display). That’s an intriguing combination—with an explanation.

We’ve analyzed over 11,000 ESG-labeled bonds, comparing each bond’s stated intentions at the time of issue with actual performance 12 months later (for example, how the bond’s proceeds were allocated across different projects, and the ESG impact of those projects).

Using three criteria—disclosure, plus ambition of and credibility versus targets—and employing more than 20 underlying factors with different weightings, we calculated a quality (or strength) score for each bond, enabling us to compare them across issuers, universes and vintage years.

The surge in strength scores aligns with our experience: weaker issues are coming to market less frequently, so the overall quality of the new-issue market is rising and greenwashing seems less of an issue. We also believe that much of the improved strength is a result of diligent active investors guiding issuers to develop stronger ESG-labeled bond structures.

Our own engagements* offer examples. A global utility company issued sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) with ambitious targets, which it missed. Our discussions with management revealed the reasons were both temporary and outside their control. We commended their ambition and supported further SLB issuance. Also, a European consumer company’s SLB targeted substantial scope 3 emissions reductions—even though many peers only disclose scopes 1 and 2.

*AB engages companies where it believes the engagement is in the best interest of its clients.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations, and do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams and are subject to change over time.

This is a marketing communication. This information is provided by AllianceBernstein Limited, 60 London Wall, London, EC2M 5SJ. Registered in England, No. 2551144. AllianceBernstein Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA - Reference Number 147956). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to purchase any security or other investment. The views and opinions expressed are based on our internal forecasts and should not be relied upon as an indication of future market performance. The value of investments in any of the Funds can go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This information is directed at Professional Clients only and is not intended for public use.

ESG-Labeled Bonds: Quality Over Quantity

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