Lenders are scaling up efforts to meet sustainable development targets, with capital directed toward healthcare, education, and essential infrastructure.
Major global banks and financial institutions are increasing their participation in the social bond market, strengthening the role of debt capital in addressing social challenges across the world.
Standard Chartered recently announced the issuance of its first $1.1 billion social bond. The proceeds are primarily earmarked to facilitate lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including support for women-owned businesses. Funds will also be allocated to healthcare, education, infrastructure development, and food security initiatives.
The transaction aligns with the bank’s Sustainability Bond Framework, which applies environmental and social standards across sensitive sectors. For instance, financial services are extended only to clients committed to reducing thermal coal dependence to below 5% of revenue by 2030.
In 2024, Deutsche Bank issued its first social bond, raising €500 million to expand its sustainable asset pool. The proceeds will finance affordable housing and essential services for elderly populations.
In January, the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group, raised $2 billion through its largest-ever social bond. The funds are aimed at supporting low-income communities across emerging markets.
Social bonds are structured similarly to conventional fixed-income instruments in terms of risk and return. The key distinction lies in the requirement for legal documentation specifying how proceeds will be allocated, ensuring transparency and accountability.
“The increase in the issuance of social bonds is aligned with the societal goals of both public and private entities,” says Conor Moore, Global Head of KPMG Private Enterprise. “While there are ebbs and flows in the political environment around sustainability initiatives, it will remain a priority for many institutions. This should result in further issuances across various regions and sectors.”
Mike Hayes, KPMG’s Global Climate Change and Decarbonization Leader, adds: “It should be noted that while the bulk of global investment will be directed toward sustainable energy and infrastructure, many of these projects involve a critical social dimension—referred to as the Just Transition.”
“In other words, unless social issues such as community and employee buy-in are addressed, projects are unlikely to move forward. This is one important role that social bonds can play in supporting infrastructure investment.”
According to the UN’s Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2024, the global financing gap for sustainable development remains vast—estimated at $4 trillion annually. While social bonds can help bridge part of this shortfall, they are unlikely to close it entirely.
