Akademiska Hus issues green bond

As one of the largest property companies in the country, Akademiska Hus has a large responsibility for making a long-term contribution to the development of a sustainable society. As part of the company’s financial sustainability efforts, Akademiska Hus has issued its first green bond with a maturity of 5 years. The bond was issued under the company’s regular EMTN programme and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

“Sustainability permeates everything we do when we work with our customers to build and manage knowledge environments for research, education and innovation. It is rewarding to note substantial interest in the capital market for green investments in projects that will make the country’s campuses even more sustainable,” says Kerstin Lindberg Göransson, President of Akademiska Hus.

The issue proceeds will be used in accordance with Akademiska Hus’ green framework, which describes the initiatives that can be funded with green bonds. The formulation of the framework is based on Green Bond Principles (June 2018). The content has been reviewed by the independent Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research (Cicero), which has assigned the framework the highest possible rating – dark green.

Investors who participated in the first green issuance included Swedbank Robur, Första AP-fonden (AP1), Andra AP-fonden (AP2), SPP Storebrand, Länsförsäkringar Västernorrland, Captor, Cliens Kapitalförvaltning, Skandia, Municipality of Linköping, Handelsbanken Asset Manegement and SEB Investment Management including SEB Företagsobligationsfond Hållbar.

“We continue to make progress towards our ambition to be a leading investor in sustainability and being involved in financing future knowledge environments is fully in line with our strategy. We appreciate the strong framework that Akademiska Hus has formulated,” says Thomas Bäck, senior portfolio manager at Swedbank Robur.

Handelsbanken advised Akademiska Hus in the formulation of the green framework and also carried out the issuance. Akademiska Hus will publish an annual report presenting the allocation to projects and compliance with the terms and conditions of the green framework on its website.

• Economic sustainability
• Finance