IFC issues US$1 billion bond for ‘climate-friendly’ projects

February 18, 2013
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

IFC, a global development institution for the private sector and a member of the World Bank Group, has issued a US$1 billion green bond which will be used to support IFC “climate-friendly” projects in developing countries.

The three-year bond — which is said to be the largest green bond issue to date — is available to investors around the world. The bond was oversubscribed and has been sized to meet the demand from an increasing number of investors keen to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate-friendly projects.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

“IFC is ramping up its climate-related investments because the private sector can play a leading role in addressing climate change,” said Jingdong Hua, IFC VP and Treasurer. “Through its Green Bond Program, IFC enables large-scale investors to support projects related to climate change in developing countries.”

In IFC’s 2012 financial year, the company invested US$1.6 billion in climate related investments, of which 70% was related to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. By the 2015 financial year, IFC expects to double the US41.6 billion figure to approximately US$3 billion per year.

IFC green bonds support projects focused on reducing greenhouse emissions. Such projects includes those which involve rehabilitating power plants and transmission facilities, installing solar and wind power, and providing funding for new technologies that result in significant reductions in emissions. To date, IFC has issued about US$2.2 billion in such bonds.

Criteria for the use of IFC green bond proceeds are certified by Cicero, an independent research centre associated with the University of Oslo.  

Maria Kamin, Manager of Environmental, Social and Governance Research at Parnassus Investments, a participant of the green bond, said: “The IFC Green Bond complements our responsible investment strategies. We focus on incorporating environmental, social, and governance analysis into our investment research. By giving investors in the Parnassus Fixed-Income Fund exposure to this unique bond, we can further support climate-related investments and receive a positive financial return”.

Read Next

October 30, 2025
Scatec posted development and construction (D&C) revenues of NOK1,760 million (US$175.1 million) in the third quarter of this year.
October 30, 2025
Global net zero by 2050 is now “impossible” and the world is on course for temperature rises of 2.6°C, according to energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
October 30, 2025
US microinverter producer Enphase Energy posted increased revenues, margin and income in Q3 2025, as it doubles down on its US manufacturing operations.
October 30, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$600 million in financing for distributed solar and energy storage projects in the US.
October 30, 2025
New Zealand’s Genesis Energy has announced plans to acquire and develop a 271MWp solar project in Waikato, on the country’s upper North Island. 
October 30, 2025
Meridian Energy, a New Zealand state-owned energy company, has begun the construction of its 230GWh Ruakaka solar plant. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany