Morningstar Sustainalytics Approved as an Independent Second-Party Opinion Provider Under Hong Kong’s Green and Sustainable Finance Grant Scheme
Issuers can obtain a second-party opinion from Sustainalytics towards the
Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s subsidy qualification for green bonds
March 1, 2022, Toronto – Morningstar Sustainalytics, a leading global provider of ESG research, ratings, and data, announced that the firm’s Opinion Services has been approved as an independent reviewer of green bonds under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) Green and Sustainable Finance (GSF) Grant Scheme. The scheme provides subsidy for eligible bond issuers and loan borrowers to cover expenses on bond issuance and external review services.
As a recognized industry leader, Sustainalytics’ Second-party Opinion Services has successfully delivered more than 900 projects for issuers and their underwriters since its inception in 2014. The firm has received multiple awards over the past two years including Environmental Finance’s Bond Awards 2021 for External Assessment Provider of the Year, Global Capital Bond Award 2021 for Most Impressive Second-Party Opinion Provider, The Asset Asian Awards 2020 Regional Award for Best Secondary Opinion Provider and was recognized as Climate Bond Initiative’s Largest Review Provider for 2020. As the prevalence of sustainable finance instruments continues to proliferate, Sustainalytics’ expert team is keen to support the increasing number of companies making pledges on climate action and sustainable finance.
“We are pleased to be part of the GSF Grant Scheme and further support sustainable development in this market,” says Nicholas Gandolfo, director of Corporate Solutions at Sustainalytics. “With Sustainalytics’ strong presence in Hong Kong, we see tremendous market potential as a key hub for the greater region, including China, Taiwan and Singapore. The HKMA has been a tremendous supporter of market development, and we look forward to supporting their progressive agenda and efforts to grow sustainable finance in Hong Kong.”
Environmental Finance’s latest Sustainable Bonds Insight report announced that the global sustainable bonds market achieved a spectacular milestone. The issuance of green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked bonds exceeded USD $1 trillion in 2021—a 69% increase over the previous year. Hong Kong’s GSF Grant Scheme is part of a series of government initiatives to stimulate the adoption of green bonds to support Hong Kong’s commitment to reaching carbon neutrality before 2050. To learn more about Sustainalytics’ Opinion Services, please visit here.
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About Morningstar Sustainalytics
Morningstar Sustainalytics is a leading ESG research, ratings and data firm that supports investors around the world with the development and implementation of responsible investment strategies. For 30 years, the firm has been at the forefront of developing high-quality, innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of global investors. Today, Morningstar Sustainalytics works with hundreds of the world’s leading asset managers and pension funds who incorporate ESG and corporate governance information and assessments into their investment processes. The firm also works with hundreds of companies and their financial intermediaries to help them consider sustainability in policies, practices, and capital projects. With 17 offices globally, Morningstar Sustainalytics has more than 1,200 staff members, including more than 500 analysts with varied multidisciplinary expertise across more than 40 industry groups. For more information, visit www.sustainalytics.com.
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