The coronavirus crisis is having a profound and lasting effect on the global economy, with the vast majority of countries expected to get back to their 2019 level of economic output only in 2022. The consequences of the crisis are not just limited to the economy and to changes in human behaviour. In many countries of the CEE/CIS region, the crisis has coincided with election cycles and will lead to significant changes in political landscapes over the years to come.
Naturally, this crisis has presented a significant challenge for incumbent governments and presidents trying to maintain their popular support levels. Election date shifts due to the epidemiological situation only added to complications in some countries. During a crisis of this scale and uncertainty, some policy mistakes were perhaps unavoidable. As a result, in many countries people have blamed the authorities for their economic and social troubles, even with the huge fiscal and monetary support packages...
Last week saw the first ever issuance of a Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB) from an emerging market issuer. Brazilian pulp & paper producer Suzano issued US$750 million of Jan-2031 bonds at a yield of 3.95%. The bond coupon (3.75%) is subject to a sustainability performance target and shall increase by 25bps per annum from July 2026, if the issuer does not meet its target in 2025. It is different to a green bond. Green bond proceeds have to be used for environmentally-friendly projects. Sustainability-linked bonds can see their proceeds used for general corporate purposes.
It is only the second time in bond history that a company has used such a structure. Last year, Italian energy company Enel issued the first ever bond featuring a coupon increase (also 25bps) in the event of not meeting a sustainability performance target.
Suzano’s official rationale for using a similar structure is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity as “a key strategy...
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