Innovating for responsible and sustainable finance
Mobilising to address the climate emergency
By joining international initiatives, Crédit Agricole CIB and all other stakeholders are able to share their expertise and best market practices.
- 2nd worldwide for green, social and sustainable bonds in all currencies Bloomberg
- 100+ Number of Sustainable Banking coordinators within the Bank
- 28,4 Bn$ Green, Social and Sustainable Bonds arranged in 2020 Bloomberg
Crédit Agricole CIB puts green and sustainable finance at the centre of its priorities. To strengthen our social commitments and to support our clients in their energy transition projects, we are actively involved in many international initiatives and discussions. This commitment also means that we are constantly searching for an offer that is adapted to new social challenges and that takes extensively into account the environmental and social impacts linked to our financings.
Taking action for a sustainable society
" The banking sector, and financing activities in particular, have an important role to play in the global discussion concerning the development of tools and initiatives to speed up the energy transition. As a leader in green finance, Crédit Agricole CIB is proud to contribute to the transition to a more sustainable economy. "
Stéphane Ducroizet
Deputy General manager & Head of Risk and Permanent Control
For a green tomorrow
The climate emergency requires immediate global concerted action to tackle the environmental challenges our planet faces. Special consideration is given to the energy sector, which is the focus of technological and environmental progress. By joining international initiatives, Crédit Agricole CIB and all other stakeholders are able to share their expertise and best market practices, and to strengthen the support provided to clients. In July 2020, 11 international groups, among which Crédit Agricole CIB, came together to form the Coalition for the Energy of the Future. The goal of this initiative is to accelerate the development of energy sources and technologies that meet the challenges of sustainable mobility within the transport and logistics industries, by reducing pollution (or greenhouse gas emissions), fighting global warming and protecting biodiversity
Hydrogen at the centre of the energy transition
Régis Leenhardt
Senior Banker
" For crédit agricole group the energy transition is a major development axis. this is why crédit agricole cib joined the hydrogen council."
With the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, Crédit Agricole CIB is committed to the reduction of energy vulnerability in rural areas of Ivory Coast.
Supporting the transition towards a more inclusive economy
For the ecological transition to be fair, it must follow a balanced course that takes into account the impact on the most vulnerable populations. Crédit Agricole CIB is committed to more inclusive growth through the financing of projects with a social impact. In February, we launched a pilot securitisation project with the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation in the Ivory Coast. Its goal is to tackle energy vulnerability by financing the supply of individual off-grid solar equipment for mainly rural populations in the country. In November, FREY (a real estate investment company) signed a EUR 70 million 5-year socially responsible revolving credit line with LCL, the Mutual Regional Bank of Languedoc and Crédit Agricole CIB. It also decided to back the Cuisine Mode d’Emploi( s) association in its solidarity projects, in particular by helping the re-integration of economically and socially vulnerable people who are unemployed. Another initiative is the creation within the Bank of a dedicated network of coordinators to ensure a high level of expertise and a shared culture of responsible and sustainable finance in all our business lines and support functions.
Marc-André Poirier
Senior Regional Officer for the Americas
" Solidarity, cooperation and collaboration within the americas region played a key role in defining an efficient action plan to deal with the crisis, stabilise operations and overcome personal and professional difficulties linked to the pandemic "
Emergency responses to the Covid-19 crisis
At the end of March, Crédit Agricole Group entities in Italy, among which Crédit Agricole CIB’s subsidiary in Milan, donated 1 million € to the Italian Red Cross for a field hospital and for the purchase of ambulances and medical vehicles. In France, we supported the Simplon Foundation’s initiative #GardonsLeLien, which provided computer equipment to hospitals and nursing homes during the Covid-19 crisis. Crédit Agricole CIB donated to the EUR 20 million solidarity fund set up by the Crédit Agricole Solidarity and Development Foundation to finance basic necessities for the elderly, protect them and help them keep in touch with their families.
" Supporting our clients in their efforts to reach sustainable growth is at the centre of Crédit Agricole CIB’s strategy. We are developing innovative and tailor-made financial solutions so that our clients can finance their green projects all over the world. "
Jean-François Balaÿ
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Crédit agricole cib supports germany
We assisted many sovereign clients with their inaugural green bond issues this year. In September 2020, Crédit Agricole CIB acted as joint bookrunner for the Federal Republic of Germany’s EUR 6.5 Bn first green bond issue. The funds raised will finance Germany’s ambitious climate and environmental strategy.
Sustainable finance
Supporting the climate and environmental transition
Advising our clients in carrying out innovative transactions with an environmental aim
Crédit Agricole CIB commits to develop innovative products to provide its clients with sustainable financing solutions and investment opportunities. The Bank’s leadership in structuring green financings - in particular green bonds and Sustainability-Linked loans - led to pioneering transactions. In 2020, Crédit Agricole CIB also accelerated the development of Sustainability- Linked Facilities in international trade finance. We assisted Far Eastern New Century Corporation, one of the largest polyester recycling companies, with its first sustainable financing, and the first commercial paper programme with sustainability criteria in Asia, particularly in Taiwan. The Bank also launched the first green loan guaranteed by an export credit agency for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its Finance Ministry. This loan will finance the delivery of 842 buses from Germany for Riyadh’s new public transport system, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. This pioneering transaction is in line with the Green Bond Principles.
Financing renewable energy projects
Wind, solar, hydro... Renewable energies play a key role in the fight against climate change by reducing the carbon footprint. This is why the renewable energy sector is at the heart of Crédit Agricole CIB’s climate strategy. The Bank significantly strengthened its presence in the offshore wind sector this year through landmark transactions. In June, Crédit Agricole CIB was appointed underwriter, hedging bank, global bookrunner, agent and account holding bank in the financing of the 497 MW Fécamp offshore wind farm. Owned by a consortium consisting of EDF Renewables, Enbridge and WPD France, the wind farm will provide enough green electricity to meet the needs of 770,000 people each year. Many Group entities were involved in this transaction, demonstrating Crédit Agricole’s commitment to support the development of the French offshore industry and to be a major player in financing the energy transition. The Bank also played a key role in the financing of the Dogger Bank offshore wind project. Situated off Supporting an innovative technology: floating solar panels In Asia, Crédit Agricole CIB demonstrated its expertise in financing renewable energy by completing the financial structuring of the 180 MW floating solar panels project in Changhua Taiwan, one of the largest ever. In this transaction we acted as financial adviser, technical bank and modelling bank. This transaction reflects Crédit Agricole CIB’s position as a leading sustainable bank in Asia. It also strengthens our experience in the renewable energy sector and increases our expertise of the technical challenges in the rapidly growing floating solar panels sector. More information on our site the English coast of Yorkshire, it is the largest offshore wind farm project in the world. Dogger Bank will provide electricity for up to 6 million homes in the United Kingdom each year.
Crédit agricole cib supports edf
We supported EDF as joint bookrunner with an inaugural green convertible bond issue (OCEANE bonds). The record EUR 2.4 Bn amount makes it the largest issue of this kind in the world and the second issued in Europe. The funds raised will finance virtuous projects to preserve the environment.
More information on our site
Supporting an innovative technology: floating solar panels
In Asia, Crédit Agricole CIB demonstrated its expertise in financing renewable energy by completing the financial structuring of the 180 MW floating solar panels project in Changhua Taiwan, one of the largest ever. In this transaction we acted as financial adviser, technical bank and modelling bank. This transaction reflects Crédit Agricole CIB’s position as a leading sustainable bank in Asia. It also strengthens our experience in the renewable energy sector and increases our expertise of the technical challenges in the rapidly growing floating solar panels sector.
More information on our site
- Green deal of the year 2020 award for the dogger bank transaction (PROJECT FINANCE INTERNATIONAL)
- ESG house of the year (IFR 2020)
- Socially responsible investment (sri) dealer of the year (MTN-I ASIA PACIFIC AWARDS 2020)
Focus
Protecting maritime resources
Actively involved in favour of the green economy, Crédit Agricole CIB is also committed to promoting a sustainable blue economy, vital for the whole world’s communities, both economically and in terms of sustainable development. In June 2020, we signed the Poseidon Principles with other banks involved in ship finance. This pioneering initiative aims to introduce and measure climate assessment criteria in future ship finance decisions to encourage the decarbonisation of the shipping industry. In 2020, 15 financial institutions, including Crédit Agricole CIB, disclosed the climate alignment of their ship finance portfolios in the first ever climate finance report. This initiative is accompanied by practical actions to protect maritime resources. Blue Bonds are innovative financial instruments that can be used to finance coastal restoration, the protection of seabed biodiversity, sustainable fishing and pollution control.
Thibaud Escoffier
Global Head of Ship Finance
" The decarbonisation of the maritime sector is a fundamental imperative, but also a major challenge that can only be met through coordinated efforts. "
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Christophe Cretot
Head of Debt Origination & Advisory Asia-Pacific
" As a leader in sustainable finance, crédit agricole cib supports the development of the blue bond market. "
The first Asian blue bonds
Issued by Bank of China for the equivalent of USD 942.50 million, these blue bonds are the first issued by a commercial bank. Crédit Agricole CIB acted as joint global coordinator of the offers submitted. The proceeds of these bonds will be used to stimulate the development of a sustainable blue economy.
- Best arranger of green & esg-linked loans 2020 (GLOBAL CAPITAL).