Leading issuers of green bonds worldwide 2023

In 2023, the UK government emerged as the global leader in green bond issuance, with a total value of 22.5 billion U.S. dollars. This reflects a growing trend in sustainable finance, as governments and institutions worldwide increasingly turn to green bonds to fund climate and environmental projects.

Global green bond market growth

The green bond market has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. From a modest 37 billion U.S. dollars in 2014, global green bond issuance skyrocketed to 594 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. Despite a slight decrease in 2022, the market rebounded in 2023 with 588 billion U.S. dollars in green bonds issued worldwide. This rapid expansion demonstrates the increasing appetite for sustainable investment options among both issuers and investors.

Leading institutions in green finance

While governments like the UK, Germany, and Italy lead in green bond issuance, financial institutions play a crucial role in managing these offerings. BNP Paribas topped the list of lead managers for green bonds in 2023, overseeing issuances worth over 27 billion U.S. dollars. J.P. Morgan and Bank of America followed closely, each managing more than 23 billion U.S. dollars in green bond issuances. This involvement of major global banks highlights the mainstreaming of green finance in the international financial system.