Green Bonds in the News

By combining bond proceeds with philanthropic capital—and working with public agencies to put easements in place to lock in environmental and local economic benefits—it is possible to create a large-scale mechanism that can make an immediate difference on climate change. – Larry Selzer, president and CEO of The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund announced the closing of unique 10-year green bonds totaling $150 million. CEO Larry Selzer says the bonds are the first step in scaling up to a goal of conserving 5 million acres in the next 15 years. – Jeff Kart

The Conservation Fund, an environmental non-profit, recently raised $150 million through a debut issue of green bonds to fund tree cultivation. It could be a roadmap for other similar deals. – David Caleb Mutua and Emily Chasan

Working forests provide us with clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. They support species diversity and generate more than 8.5 million jobs in the forest products and outdoor recreation industries. Perhaps even more important, they are an essential part of our nation’s efforts to address climate change, sequestering 12-15% of the United States’ annual carbon emissions. – Robert Bonnie and Matthew McKenna

Trees are the best carbon capture tech on the planet. To ensure that vulnerable forests in the U.S. are preserved, The Conservation Fund is leveraging green bonds to finance the acquisition and protection of forestlands. – Jessica Pothering

“Catalytic” investors are backing forest funds. The Conservation Fund is leveraging green bonds to finance the acquisition and protection of forestlands.

While renewables and low carbon buildings and transport dominate, conservation organizations are also using second-party opinions—such as The Conservation Fund, a partner of CBEY’s, in its recent issuance focusing on land conservation and working forest protection. – Shitiz Chaudhary

‘The money will not be used for headquarters, general purposes or as a substitute for spending an endowment,’ says John Gilbert, chief financial officer of The Conservation Fund. ‘It will go into specific forest conservation projects that would not be possible without the proceeds – so you could say it’s the greenest bond out there.’ The proceeds will help fund in its long-term plan to conserve five million acres of forests in the US over 15 years. – Helen Avery