Overlay

Listen to our latest Deep Dive in 5 podcast with Niceasia Mc Perry as she explores why just transition is increasingly being viewed not only as a sustainability issue, but as a credit consideration for investors.

Primary Capital Markets

Utilities continue to dominate GSS issuance volumes, driven by accelerating investment in grid infrastructure and energy transition assets across Europe

  • TenneT Germany EUR3.5bn inaugural EuGB quad-tranche 4Y/8Y/12Y/20Y: the German transmission system operator completed the largest-ever European Green Bond issuance in the euro corporate market, attracting strong demand with 6.3x oversubscription. Proceeds will finance EU Taxonomy-aligned investments in Germany’s electricity grid, including offshore wind connections, high-voltage infrastructure and renewable energy integration. The transaction marks TenneT Germany’s inaugural bond issuance and debut EUR-denominated EuGB offering. 

Read more

  • Scottish hydro electric transmission GBP350m green bond 15Y: the UK transmission network operator accessed the market with a GBP350m green bond due 2041 under its Sustainability Financing Framework. The transaction supports the financing and refinancing of eligible green projects across the electricity transmission network, facilitating the transition to lower-carbon electricity systems, alongside renewable energy projects. 

Read more

Blue bonds show signs of gaining traction within the corporate sustainable debt market, as issuers seek more targeted environmental labels linked to water and marine-related investments

  • ACEA EUR500m Blue Bond:  the Italian utility became one of the latest European corporates to adopt the blue bond format, with proceeds supporting investments in integrated water services and water infrastructure. The transaction demonstrates how utilities with significant water exposure are increasingly using dedicated blue financing instruments to highlight water stewardship and resource management initiatives.
  • Trelleborg SEK85m Blue Bond:  the Swedish industrial company also entered the blue bond market, illustrating the gradual expansion of the format beyond traditional utility and public-sector issuers into broader corporate sectors.
  • While issuance volumes remain modest compared with the green bond market, the emergence of multiple corporate blue bond transactions suggests investors are becoming increasingly receptive to thematic environmental financing focused on water security, marine conservation and sustainable water infrastructure.

ESG Ratings and Data

MSCI physical climate risk update 

The most recent model release in early July introduced 34 new factors across Nature & Biodiversity and Physical Risk. This includes 27 Biodiversity Risk Metrics from the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter, 5 Water Scarcity Financial Risk Metrics, and 2 Physical Risk company attributes.

Additionally, MSCI’s annual Climate VaR update will be rolled out in two phases, simulated results released in July 2026 and full deployment scheduled for September 2026. 

Key improvements include a refreshed hazard model, enhanced data inputs, alignment with MSCI’s GeoSpatial Asset Intelligence (GSAI), and extended coverage for fixed-income-only issuers. 

Clients have received, or will shortly receive, simulated results, change notes, and impact analysis to review ahead of the September rollout.

Investors

Flexible bond strategies to unlock transition finance opportunities  

EdenTree Investment Management is considering more flexible sustainable bond strategies to capture transition finance opportunities outside established sustainable fund criteria. Existing strategies can be overly restrictive, particularly where credible issuers or instruments lack recognised sustainability labels. New products could assess transition and impact credibility more broadly while maintaining robust sustainability safeguards and credit analysis. 

Read more

This trend reflects the growing importance of just transition considerations in credit analysis. Recognising that social and political dynamics can materially influence transition outcomes, investors are increasingly focused on whether issuers can deliver their plans under real-world economic, social, and political conditions. As a result, credibility and execution are carrying greater weight in assessments. 

Read more

GFANZ publishes its latest insights on adaptation finance, highlighting growing commercial opportunities

The report draws lessons from 22 case studies showing how financial institutions use conventional instruments, such as loans and bonds, to support corporate adaptation, highlighting a growing and diverse commercial opportunity. Key takeaways for corporates: 

  • Building the Investment Case: Corporates seeking adaptation finance should proactively share asset-level climate-risk data and evidence of resilience measures with investors and lenders to strengthen financing discussions and demonstrate preparedness 
  • Developing the Pipeline: Corporates should assess physical risks across their assets, operations, and supply chains, then identify and develop resilience measures into investable projects that may require external financing 

Read more

Nature & Carbon Markets

SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard Version 2 

SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2, released in June 2026, outlines 1.5°C-aligned requirements for companies setting or renewing targets from 2027.

From 2035, companies shall support removals covering at least 1% of ongoing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, with long-lived removals increasing from 10% of relevant emissions to 100% by the net-zero year.

Companies may also voluntarily address ongoing emissions through verified mitigation outcomes, including carbon credits.

Read more

This is Non-Independent Research, as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority. Not intended for Retail Client distribution. All data is accurate as of the report date, unless otherwise specified.

This material is intended for, and directed at, wholesale or professional investors only and should not be distributed to or relied on by retail clients in any circumstances. It is provided for information purposes only.

This material is intended for your sole use and is provided to you on the understanding that, before entering into any transaction referred to in this material, and/or any related transaction, you will ensure that you fully understand the potential risks and return of such transaction and determine whether it is appropriate for you given your objectives, experience, financial and operational resources, and other relevant circumstances. Nothing in this material constitutes an offer or invitation to enter into any engagement or transaction or an offer or invitation for the sale, purchase, exchange or transfer of any securities or a recommendation to enter into any transaction, nor is it intended to form the basis of any investment decision. Neither National Westminster Bank Plc, NatWest Markets Plc, NatWest Markets N.V. (and/or any branches) nor any of its affiliates (collectively, “NatWest”) is soliciting any specific action based on this material.  The material does not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial conditions, or needs of individual clients. NatWest will not act and has not acted as your legal, tax, regulatory or accounting adviser and is not providing you with any investment advice nor does NatWest owe any fiduciary duties to you in connection with this, and/or any related transaction and no reliance may be placed on NatWest for investment advice or recommendations of any sort.

NatWest and its affiliates, connected companies, employees or clients may have an interest in financial instruments of the type described in this material and/or in related financial instruments giving rise to potential conflicts of interest which may impact the performance of such financial instruments.  Such interests may include, but are not limited to, (a) dealing in, trading, holding or acting as market-maker in such financial instruments and any reference obligations; (b) entering into hedging strategies on behalf of issuer clients and their affiliates, investor clients or for itself or its affiliates and connected companies; and (c) providing banking, credit and other financial services to any company or issuer of securities or financial instruments referred to herein. NatWest and its affiliates, connected companies, employees or clients may at any time acquire, hold or dispose of long or short positions (including hedging and trading positions) which may impact the performance of a financial instrument.

This material is subject to change, is indicative only and is not binding. Whilst it is based on information believed to be reliable, no guarantee is given that it is accurate or complete. NatWest makes no representation, warranty, undertaking or assurance of any kind, express or implied, as to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this material, nor does it accept any obligation to any recipient to update, correct or determine the reasonableness of such information or assumptions contained herein. Any views or opinions expressed in the material (including statements or forecasts) constitute the judgement of NatWest as of the date indicated and are subject to change without notice.  The stated price of any securities mentioned herein is as of the date indicated and is not a representation that any transaction can be affected at this price. NatWest accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential losses (in contract, tort or otherwise) arising from the use of this material or reliance on the information contained herein.  However, this shall not restrict, exclude or limit any duty or liability to any person under any applicable laws or regulations of any jurisdiction which may not lawfully be disclaimed. This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

The information contained herein is confidential, is intended for use by only by you and may not be reproduced or disclosed (in whole or in part) to any other person without our consent.

National Westminster Bank Plc. Registered in England & Wales No. 929027. Registered Office: 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA. National Westminster Bank Plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

scroll to top