Overlay
Sustainability

Sustainability in the Private Markets

In our July edition of the Private Finance Sustainability Newsletter, Rahel Haque, Fazl Ahmad and Yizhi Tang review key sustainable trends and sustainable deal activity, including how global sustainable lending activity has evolved over the second quarter of the year, with key geographic and sector insights.

Global sustainable lending market

Backdrop in Q2 global sustainable lending activity

Global sustainable lending activity totalled USD c.99bn in Q2 2026, down from USD c.209bn in Q2 2025. While both green lending and Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL) issuance declined year-on-year, SLL volumes contracted more significantly (down c.58% versus c.42% for green lending), resulting in a more balanced split between the two products. Green loans increased to c.37% of total sustainable lending volumes in Q2 2026, compared with c.15% in Q2 2022. (Figure 1). The reduced costs for issuers of reporting and verifying green loans is a contributing factor for their increased uptake in the loan market relative to SLLs.

Geographic dynamics in sustainable lending

Green lending activity has been concentrated across a small number of countries in Q2 2026 (Figure 2). The US was the largest market, accounting for 41% of the total volumes, followed by Germany (20%). Together, the two markets represented 61% of total activity, while Spain accounted for 6%, followed by France, Turkey, South Africa and Norway (4% each). The concentration was largely driven by a small number of sizeable Utility & Energy transactions, including German transmission system operator, Amprion’s refinancing of its existing €2.6bn syndicated green facility. 

In contrast, SLL activity was more geographically diversified in Q2 2026. Italy accounted for the largest share of global SLL volumes (19%), followed by France (16%) and Turkey (8%). Together, these three markets represented almost half (c.43%).

A broad range of sectors adopt sustainable financing

Utility & Energy has adopted the largest share of sustainable finance vs conventional in Q2 2026 at 17%, followed by Dining & Lodging (15%) and Mining (13%). SLL activity has been spread across a broad range of sectors, while green lending has been more concentrated. SLLs have also been the sole sustainable financing instrument across several sectors, including Food & Beverage, Construction/Building and Dining & Lodging, reflecting the flexibility of the instrument to support broader financing needs while linking financing terms to group-level climate KPIs aligned with broader sustainability strategies across both environmental and social metrics.

Source: Dealogic (as of 06/07/2026)
Source: Dealogic (as of 06/07/2026)
Source: Dealogic (as of 06/07/2026)

Sustainable deal activity

  • DC BLOX expands Green Senior Secured Credit Facility to $850 million 

Future Standard-backed digital infrastructure platform DC BLOX has expanded its Green Senior Secured Credit Facility (SSCF) to $850m, up from the $265m facility originally secured in October 2024. The upsized green financing provides additional capital to support the development of DC BLOX’s growing hyperscale data centre portfolio across the Southeastern United States, including multiple pre-leased, investment-grade-backed projects.

  • Qualitas completes inaugural sustainable fund finance transaction 

Australian alternative investment manager Qualitas has completed its first sustainable fund finance transaction, incorporating a use-of-proceeds (UOP) sub limit within the senior secured subscription line facility for its Qualitas Diversified Credit Investments (QDCI) fund. As part of the broader refinance and upsize of the facility, the structure enables fund capital to be deployed towards qualifying green and social loans within the QDCI portfolio. The transaction is aligned with Qualitas’ updated Sustainable Finance Framework and embeds sustainable finance directly into a fund-level subscription facility, enhancing transparency, ESG reporting and accountability.

  • Digital Edge and B.Grimm Power secure $880 million green loan for hyperscale data centre Campus

PE-backed Digital Edge and B.Grimm Power have secured an $880m green loan, the largest financing ever secured for a data centre project in Thailand, to support the development of the joint venture’s 100MW BKK hyperscale data centre campus. Structured under Digital Edge’s Green Financing Framework, the facility supports the delivery of AI- and cloud-ready digital infrastructure while supporting the companies’ decarbonisation ambitions.

  • EQT secures $4.4 billion Sustainability-Linked Loan for Private Equity Fund

EQT secured a $4.4bn sustainability-linked loan for BPEA Private Equity Fund IX, the largest Asia Pacific-focused private equity fund raised to date, with $15.6bn of total commitments. The facility is the largest SLL established in Asia to date and marks EQT’s third SLL in the region. It embeds sustainability metrics directly into EQT’s private equity investment workflow, with portfolio companies expected to establish tailored sustainability targets and performance metrics aligned with international frameworks.

Climate and sustainability announcements by Sponsors (as of 8 July 2026)

  • Blackstone Energy Transition Partners to acquire Dresser Utility Solutions 

Funds managed by Blackstone Energy Transition Partners have agreed to acquire Dresser Utility Solutions, a provider of gas and water measurement, control and infrastructure equipment solutions, from First Reserve. The transaction represents the first investment from the most recent vintage of Blackstone’s private equity energy transition vehicle. 

  • Eurazeo acquires majority stake in circular IT Provider T1A through its Impact Buyout Fund

Eurazeo announced that its Planetary Boundaries Fund (EPBF) has acquired a majority stake in T1A Group, a leading European IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) provider built on a circular economy logic. The investment marks EPBF’s first investment in Denmark and will support T1A’s expansion across key European markets through organic growth and acquisitions, with the goal of creating a leading European ITAD platform.

  • Ardian partnered with Societe Generale to launch nature-based solutions fund

Ardian and Societe Generale announced a new nature-based solutions (NBS) equity partnership to support the development and scaling of projects focused on the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. As part of the initiative, Societe Generale will commit €100 million as an anchor investor in Ardian’s Averrhoa NBS Fund, an Article 9 impact fund focused on reforestation, wetland restoration, and mangrove projects.

  • AllianzGI to take stake in German battery storage platform 

Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) announced the acquisition of a 51% stake in Green Energy Storage Initiative (GESI) on behalf of Allianz insurance companies, marking the firm’s second large-scale energy storage investment in the past few months. GESI is developing 2.6 GW of large-scale battery storage capacity across Germany, making it one of the country’s largest battery storage portfolios. The projects, expected to be operational by 2029, will contribute to the stabilisation and resilience of the German energy system.  

  • Amundi to manage €3 billion Global Green Bond Initiative Fund

Amundi announced it will act as the asset manager of the Global Green Bond Initiative (GGBI) Fund, a new fund launched by the EU in partnership with development finance institutions (DFI) designed to mobilise private capital for climate and environmental projects in emerging markets and developing economies. The fund targets a size of up to €3 billion, supported by nearly €1 billion in equity commitments from MDBs and DFIs investors, with the aim of attracting an additional €2 billion from private investors. 

Upcoming webinar and events

  • Fund Finance Unlocked: (5 August, Virtual)

Find out more

  • World Finance Forum: (3 September 2026, London)

Find out more

  • UK Private Capital Summit: (9-10 September, London)

Find out more

  • PERE Europe Forum 2026: (15-16 September, London)

Find out more

 

The NatWest Sustainable Finance Policy and Regulations Newsletter is now also available on our website.

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