ESG Insights

Issue 98: The ESG bogeyman for S-E Asian banks; Temasek on-brand with climate investment platforms

Kenneth Lim
Published Fri, May 3, 2024 · 07:00 PM
    • S&P Global Ratings rates Singapore’s local banks ahead of most regional peers on ESG, but behind major European lenders.
    • S&P Global Ratings rates Singapore’s local banks ahead of most regional peers on ESG, but behind major European lenders. ILLUSTRATION: KENNETH LIM

    In this issue: Shunning bond underwriters with poor ESG may not work in South-east Asia, while Temasek-BlackRock platform Decarbonization Partners raises a US$1.4 billion final close.

    South-east Asia

    Region’s banks might not lose deals to ESG underperformance

    Banks could be facing ESG risk on a new front, as Bloomberg reported some debt issuers in Europe are weighing bond underwriters’ ESG credentials when deciding whom to appoint for their deals.