Crédit Agricole CIB issues inaugural Sustainability-Linked Loan financing Bond utilising innovative Sustainability-Linked Loan financing Bond Framework

The Framework promotes SLL best market practices by fully disclosing eligibility criteria

Leveraging its leading position in sustainable finance and global expertise in structuring SLL**, Crédit Agricole CIB has developed its framework to foster best-in-class practices ensuring transparency in the evaluation and selection process of eligible SLLs. It is the first framework of the market which includes a pioneering and innovative “ESG Performance Index” listing all sectoral Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and related Sustainable Performance Targets (SPTs) used by eligible SLLs.

Investors can support companies that demonstrate strong climate commitments and effectively address ESG issues

Crédit Agricole CIB SLLB framework offers a unique opportunity for investors to support companies with ambitious climate commitments, aligned with a 1.5°C or well below 2°C trajectory and complemented by KPIs that address the most meaningful ESG issues.

The Framework is supported by an external review and leverages Crédit Agricole CIB’s input on market guidelines

Crédit Agricole CIB has commissioned ISS-Corporate to review the framework’s alignment with best market practices, as well as to assess the materiality and ambition of selected eligible KPIs and SPTs. ISS also evaluated the transactions’ eligibility criteria against Crédit Agricole CIB’s overall ESG profile and strategy.

Crédit Agricole CIB was also one of the coordinators of the ICMA joint-taskforce which led to the publication of the first ICMA Sustainability-Linked Loan Bond Guidelines in June 2024***.

Tanguy Claquin, Global Head of Sustainability, Crédit Agricole CIB, said, “This framework illustrates Crédit Agricole CIB’s commitment to help clients on their decarbonisation journey, while providing investors with tools to encourage sustainability. The framework sets new standards for transparency and ambition in the SLL market, in line with the recent ICMA Sustainability-Linked Loan Bond guidelines, which we helped to coordinate. It’s the first SLLB framework where SLL eligibility criteria are disclosed in a detailed manner and reflects the Bank’s continuous dedication to Sustainable Finance, as a useful tool for the global sustainability agenda.”

1. * Link here
2. ** Source Refinitiv (2023): 1# agent in volume (Global, USDm) ; 1# agent in number of deals (Global) ; 2# lender in volume (Global, USDm) ; 1# lender in number of deal (Global)
3. ***Link here