Project Details
Project
Royal Bank of Canada Sustainable Bond Framework Second-Party Opinion
Client
Royal Bank of Canada
Project Type
Sustainability Bond/Loan
Industry Group
-
Use of Proceeds
-
Location
Canada
Evaluation Date
Jun 2020
Evaluation Summary
Sustainalytics is of the opinion that the RBC Sustainable Bond Framework is credible and impactful, and aligns with the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2018. This assessment is based on the following:
USE OF PROCEEDS
The thirteen eligible green and social categories for the use of proceeds – (i) renewable energy, (ii) energy efficiency, (iii) pollution prevention and control, (iv) sustainable land use, (v) clean transportation, (vi) sustainable water and wastewater management, (vii) green buildings, (viii) climate adaption and resilience, (ix) access to essential services, (x) affordable housing, (xi) indigenous communities and businesses, (xii) women-owned businesses and (xiii) leadership in diversity & inclusion – are aligned with those recognized by the Green Bond Principles 2018, the Social Bond Principles 2020, and the Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2018. Overall, the use of proceeds, will, in Sustainalytics’ opinion, have positive environmental or social impacts and advance a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
PROJECT EVALUATION/SELECTION
RBC has established a Sustainable Bond Working Group to oversee the sustainable bond programme, which will be comprised of senior representatives from various departments, including Corporate Treasury, Capital Markets, Personal & Commercial Banking, and Sustainability. The Group will review the Sustainable Bond Asset Portfolios on a quarterly basis. In addition, RBC is a signatory to the Equator Principles. This is in line with market best practice.
MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS
RBC will tag Eligible Assets in its existing information management systems. The Sustainable Bond Working Group will ensure that the portfolio balance meets or exceeds the amount of outstanding green, social and/or sustainability bonds. Unallocated proceeds will be held in money market instruments, as part of the Bank’s liquidity portfolio. This is in line with market practice.
REPORTING
RBC will report annually, on any outstanding green, social and/or sustainability bonds, information regarding allocation and impacts. Allocation information will include amounts aggregated at the category level, while impact reporting will include key performance indicators at the category level. In Sustainalytics’ view, reporting on these metrics is in line with market practice.