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Sustainability

Sustainability in the Private Markets

Breaking down trending sustainable trades and themes to help those within Private Finance get ahead of the latest issues shaping the market.

Global sustainable lending market

Backdrop in Q1 global sustainable lending activity

Global sustainable lending volumes have contracted to USD c.90bn in Q1 2026, primarily driven by a USD c.126bn decline in y/y total lending activity. This has led to a 35% contraction in SLL (Sustainability-Linked Loans) activity over the same period whilst green lending volumes remain relatively stable. A contributing factor driving this trend is the market uncertainty resulting from the current geopolitical landscape, leading to issuers assessing the impact of markets on the rate environment before committing to borrowing.

Quarterly dynamics in sustainable lending

Europe and North America are responsible for c.62% of the total sustainable lending activity this quarter. Across these jurisdictions, sustainable lending volumes have fluctuated across the period, peaking in Q2 2025 before moderating in Q1 2026 with a noticeable reduction in Europe (Figure 2).

Although SLL remains the dominant component of issuance across both regions, the proportion of sustainable lending that is green has been growing, particularly in Europe, possibly governed by the less stringent reporting and verification requirements that are mandatory for SLLs. Furthermore, Europe has accounted for the majority of total volumes across all quarters between 2025 and 2026, while North America has shown lower volumes with a more balance mix between SLL and green loans.

 

A broad range of sectors adopt sustainable financing

In Q1 2026, green loan issuance has remained concentrated across 8 key sectors (Figure 3), with Utility & Energy accounting for more than half of total activity (57%). A key transaction in this sector has been the USD 1.5bn syndicated credit facility to energy storage developer-operator Aypa Power, who will use the proceeds for US BESS (battery energy strorage) projects.

In contrast, SLL issuance is more diversified across sectors, with Real Estate & Property (28%) the largest contributor, alongside Utility & Energy (13%) and Auto/Truck (9%).

Global sustainable lending market

Backdrop in Q1 global sustainable lending activity

Global sustainable lending volumes have contracted to USD c.90bn in Q1 2026, primarily driven by a USD c.126bn decline in y/y total lending activity. This has led to a 35% contraction in SLL (Sustainability-Linked Loans) activity over the same period whilst green lending volumes remain relatively stable. A contributing factor driving this trend is the market uncertainty resulting from the current geopolitical landscape, leading to issuers assessing the impact of markets on the rate environment before committing to borrowing.

Quarterly dynamics in sustainable lending

Europe and North America are responsible for c.62% of the total sustainable lending activity this quarter. Across these jurisdictions, sustainable lending volumes have fluctuated across the period, peaking in Q2 2025 before moderating in Q1 2026 with a noticeable reduction in Europe (Figure 2).

Although SLL remains the dominant component of issuance across both regions, the proportion of sustainable lending that is green has been growing, particularly in Europe, possibly governed by the less stringent reporting and verification requirements that are mandatory for SLLs. Furthermore, Europe has accounted for the majority of total volumes across all quarters between 2025 and 2026, while North America has shown lower volumes with a more balance mix between SLL and green loans.

 

A broad range of sectors adopt sustainable financing

In Q1 2026, green loan issuance has remained concentrated across 8 key sectors (Figure 3), with Utility & Energy accounting for more than half of total activity (57%). A key transaction in this sector has been the USD 1.5bn syndicated credit facility to energy storage developer-operator Aypa Power, who will use the proceeds for US BESS (battery energy strorage) projects.

In contrast, SLL issuance is more diversified across sectors, with Real Estate & Property (28%) the largest contributor, alongside Utility & Energy (13%) and Auto/Truck (9%).

Source: Dealogic (as of 08/04/2026)
Source: Dealogic (as of 08/04/2026)
Source: Dealogic (as of 08/04/2026)

Sustainable deal activity

  • Alder divests portfolio companies into an Article 9 continuation vehicle
    Nordic investment fund Alder II has completed a secondaries transaction, selling its portfolio companies SI and SMG into Alder Strategic Opportunity Fund I, an Article 9 continuation vehicle. ASOF I preserves the strategy’s sustainable investment objectives and governance framework, enabling the continuation of Alder’s active, sustainability‑led ownership approach. The structure supports energy‑efficient solutions, regulation‑driven growth and long‑term stakeholder value, while providing liquidity to existing investors.

  • KKR Priced a $475 mMillion green CMBS
    KKR has priced a $475m green SASB backed by a floating-rate, interest-only loan refinancing the Icona campus in San Francisco. The CMBS deal finances two LEED Platinum‑certified Class A life sciences and office buildings and qualifies as a green bond due to their high environmental performance. The transaction underscores how green securitization can support capital-efficient funding of energy‑efficient and high‑quality real estate assets.

  • CyrusOne upsizes and extends $8.0 billion in sustainability-linked loan facilities
    KKR‑backed global data‑centre developer and operator CyrusOne has upsized and extended its existing Revolving Credit Facility and U.S. Term Loan to approximately $8bn in aggregate commitments. The facilities incorporate sustainability‑linked pricing tied to the company’s decarbonisation strategy, including targets to reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions and advance sustainable operations.

  • Prologis extends €1.17 billion sustainability‑linked loan for PELF portfolio growth
    Prologis International Funding III Sàrl amended and extended an existing €1.17bn facility, structured as a sustainability‑linked loan to support ongoing real estate financing for its European logistics fund (PELF). The facility incorporates KPI‑linked pricing tied to BREEAM building performance as well as solar and battery deployment across the portfolio, reinforcing PELF’s strategy to reduce environmental impacts through enhanced energy efficiency and on‑site renewable generation.

  • Yondr Group secures inaugural ABS financing for its London data ventre campus
    Yondr Group has secured £532m of Green ABS financing for its London hyperscale data centre campus, marking its debut public bond and first issuance under its Green Finance Framework. The transaction received a “strong” Second‑Party Opinion from Sustainalytics, and its proceeds aims to support energy‑efficient, high‑reliability assets underpinning Yondr’s net‑zero Scope 1 and 2 target by 2030 and improved water efficiency.

  • Riverstone Holdings-backed IMTT refinances its sustainability-linked Term Loan B
    The Private Equity owned liquid terminals operator executed a refinance of its $733.2m loan originally issued in 2023 under its sustainability linked issuance framework. In line with IMTT’s decarbonisation strategy, the group sets targets to drive capex (capital expenditure) toward renewable/low‑carbon capacity and stronger supplier diversity.

Climate and sustainability announcements by Sponsors (as of 10 April 2026)

  • Australian Ethical launches new climate-focused private
    Australian Ethical, a sustainable investing-focused superannuation and investment fund manager, has announced the launch of the Australian Ethical Investment Growth Opportunities Fund, aimed at investing in key themes including decarbonisation, digitalisation, circular economy and changing demographics. It has received Australian Government backing via the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) with a cornerstone commitment up to $125 million, alongside a $500 million seed investment from Australian Ethical.

  • Climate Investment raises $450 million for Decarbonisation Acceleration Fund
    Specialist decarbonisation investor Climate Investment announced today the final close of its $450 million Decarbonization Acceleration Fund (DAF), targeting the commercialisation and scale-up of technologies across heavy-emitting sectors including energy, industry, transport and buildings.

  • AllianzGI to take stake in TotalEnergies’s battery storage projects
    Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) has announced today that it has signed on behalf of Allianz insurance companies and the Allianz European Infrastructure Fund II an agreement with TotalEnergies to buy a 50% stake in a portfolio of 11 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects currently under construction in Germany. These 11 projects, representing a total investment of €500 million, have a total capacity of 789 MW - 1628 MWh and will be operational by 2028 supporting Germany’s energy transition efforts.

  • Eurazeo raises over $200 million for New Maritime Decarbonization Fund
    France-based investment firm Eurazeo today announced the first close of its Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure II (“ESMI II”) fund, raising €175 million aimed at supporting the decarbonisation and energy transition of the maritime value chain in Europe. The strategy targets measurable sustainability outcomes through financing next‑generation, energy‑efficient vessels and infrastructure supporting marine transport, offshore renewables and ports.

  • Ambienta raises €500 million for its small cap strategy
    Sustainability-focused European asset manager Ambienta announced that it has raised c. €500 million at the final close of its Ambienta Sustainable Credit Opportunities strategy. The credit fund will focus on investing and driving the growth journey of established, high-quality European small cap companies, whose business model and economic resilience are underpinned by environmental sustainability trends.

Upcoming webinar and events

Impact Investor Global Summit 2026  (19–20 May, London)

RI Europe 2026 (2-3 June, London)

SuperReturn International (8-12 June 2026, Berlin)

Alternative Investment Week Conference 2026 (10 June 2026, London)

 

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