Hong Kong’s green bond issuance value declined 18% to US$2.09 in 2020 in spite of a record number of offerings, according to the Climate Bonds Initiative, a UK-based green investment advocacy group, noting the “disruptive” impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
There were 16 green bond issuances in Hong Kong last year, up from six valued at $2.55 billion in 2019.
“Despite the disruptive effect of Covid-19, we’re seeing new issuers from around the world and alternative financing instruments coming to the market,” the advocacy group says in a statement issued jointly with HSBC, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Green Finance Association on May 15.