Bank of America Corporation announced today that it has issued a “green bond” consisting of a three-year, fixed-rate bond that is $500 million in aggregate principal amount. This issuance of bonds is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to advance renewable energy initiatives and promote energy efficiency.
On Wednesday, 6th November 2013, the Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voorOntwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO ), the international development bank of the Netherlands ratedAAA (negative) by S&P, has priced its successful inaugural Sustainability Bond, a 5-year EUR 500 million RegS transaction.
On Thursday, 10th October 2013, the African Development Bank (AfDB), rated Aaa/AAA/AAA, launched its inaugural Green Bond transaction.
The Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund is to invest in a new emerging markets fund with companies that have both lower carbon emissions and less fossil fuel reserves.
The First, Second, Third and Fourth AP Funds (AP1-AP4) are to divest their holdings in Walmart, Freeport McMoRan, Incitec Pivot and Potash after being advised by their Ethical Council that several years of engagement with the companies had failed to deliver the desired results.
A group of 44 international investors representing more than $5.6 trillion in assets under management (AUM) has written to Mary Jo White, Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to voice its support for the SEC and concern at the potential rollback of a key disclosure provision in US law.
The Board of AP4 has appointed the Fund’s Chief Investment Officer Magnus Eriksson to the position of Deputy CEO. He will also continue to work as AP4’s Chief Investment Officer.
AP4’s total return was 6.3 %, contributing over SEK 14 billion to profit for the period January–June 2013. AP4 benefited from its high proportion of equities in the upbeat performance of equity markets in Sweden and around the world.
Wal-Mart insiders own over half of the company’s outstanding shares, making it virtually impossible that a shareholder proposal not supported by management would receive the support of a majority of votes cast.
Focus areas in 2012 included human rights, business ethics and environmental issues in the extractive, tobacco and cocoa industries. The Ethical Council has seen many examples where dialogue can be an effective tool to influence companies towards sustainable stewardship.
AP4’s total return was just over 11% in 2012. The positive outcome made a contribution of SEK 23 billion to the pension system, of which SEK 1.8 billion was generated by AP4’s active management. It was the fourth consecutive year in which AP4’s active management outperformed the benchmark index, thus delivering a better return than passive management. Fund capital increased to SEK 230 billion.