Green bond issuance set for record despite Covid-19

High investor demand, especially for energy transition bonds, set to be further boosted by introduction of German 'twin bunds'

Green bond issuance so far during 2020 has exceeded that of the same period in 2019, despite a temporary slowdown during the height of Covid-19, and is on track for a record year. Issuance of all green bonds—which typically fund capital-intensive environmental projects—for the first eight months came to c.€132bn ($157bn). This exceeds c.€125bn for the same period in 2019, according to Dealogic data analysed by credit ratings company DBRS Morningstar. Last year, issuance hit a record after surging 51pc on 2018 figures. "Last year, had a very strong level of growth, and 2020 was expected to be an even more significant year of growth—but Covid-19 hit and put a dent both in green issuance and ca