Please confirm your location and investor type
For use in China - Qualified Investors only
This website is intended only for accredited, expert and institutional investors and is not intended for the use of or distribution to the public in China or elsewhere.
The contents of this website have not been reviewed by the CSRC. No action has been taken in China to permit the distribution of the content of this website. Neither Aegon Asset Management nor any of its affiliates are licensed by the CSRC.
The information in this website is based on our understanding of the current and historical positions of the markets. The views expressed is provided for reference only and should not be interpreted as recommendations or advice.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
The content of this website is accurate at the time of writing but can be subject to change without notification. Although this information is composed with great care and we strive to ensure accuracy, completeness and correctness of the information, imperfections due to human errors may occur, as a result of which presented data and calculations may differ.
Therefore, no rights may be derived from the provided data and calculations.
For use in Hong Kong - Professional Investors only
This website is intended only for Professional Investors as defined under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571) of Hong Kong and the Securities and Futures (Professional Investor) Rules (Cap 571D) and is not intended for the use of or distribution to the public in Hong Kong.
Aegon Asset Management (Asia) Limited is regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. However, the contents of this website have not been reviewed by the SFC. No action has been taken in Hong Kong to permit the distribution of the content of this website.
The information in this website is based on our understanding of the current and historical positions of the markets. The views expressed is provided for reference only and should not be interpreted as recommendations or advice.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
The content of this website is accurate at the time of writing but can be subject to change without notification. Although this information is composed with great care and we strive to ensure accuracy, completeness and correctness of the information, imperfections due to human errors may occur, as a result of which presented data and calculations may differ.
Therefore, no rights may be derived from the provided data and calculations.
エイゴン アセットマネジメントは日本にオフィスを開設し、日本のお客様に対してのサービスを展開してい ま す。
エイゴン アセットマネジメントは各種の資産クラスでの運用を提供してい ま す。グループの運用会社では債券、株式、不動産をはじめ、絶対リターン等のさまざまな運用を行ってい ま す。
金融商品取引業者 関東財務局長(金商)第3009号
加入協会 一般社団法人日本投資顧問業協会
エイゴン アセットマネジメント パンヨーロップ ビーブイ (日本支店)
〒100-0013
東京都千代田区霞が関3-3-2
新霞が関ビルディング20階
代表:03-6628-5700
For use in Korea – Professional Investors only
This website is intended only for Qualified Professional Investors and is not intended for the use by, or distribution to, the public in Korea. The contents of this website have not been reviewed by any regulator.
Aegon Asset Management US is registered in Korea as a CB-DIM. However, Aegon Asset Management US may delegate management of certain strategies to the unregistered Aegon Asset Management affiliates listed herein as permitted under Korean law.
The information in this website is based on our understanding of the current and historical positions of the markets. The views expressed is provided for reference only and should not be interpreted as recommendations or advice.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
The content of this website is accurate at the time of writing but can be subject to change without notification. Although this information is composed with great care and we strive to ensure accuracy, completeness and correctness of the information, imperfections due to human errors may occur, as a result of which presented data and calculations may differ.
Therefore, no rights may be derived from the provided data and calculations.
For use in Taiwan – Professional institutional investors only
Neither Aegon Asset Management nor any of its affiliates are registered in Taiwan and may not sell, issue or offer any products or services while in Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate any offering or sale of a financial product or service in Taiwan. The information contained in this website is for informational purposes.
The contents of this website have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Taiwan. No action has been taken in Taiwan to permit the distribution of the content of this website.
The information in this website is based on our understanding of the current and historical positions of the markets. The views expressed is provided for reference only and should not be interpreted as recommendations or advice.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
The content of this website is accurate at the time of writing but can be subject to change without notification. Although this information is composed with great care and we strive to ensure accuracy, completeness and correctness of the information, imperfections due to human errors may occur, as a result of which presented data and calculations may differ.
Therefore, no rights may be derived from the provided data and calculations.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Austria.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Belgium.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Denmark.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Finland.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the France.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Germany.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Guernsey.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Retail Investor based in the Guernsey.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you would like to get more information about Aegon AM Hungary please visit www.aegonalapkezelo.hu by clicking on 'Accept' below.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Jersey.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Retail Investor based in the Jersey.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Ireland.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Retail Investor based in the Ireland.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Italy.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Luxembourg.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Malta.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Retail Investor based in the Malta.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Netherlands.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you are a retail investor we recommend that you take qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions. You can obtain the latest prospectus, accounts, Key Investor Information and fund prices at www.aegon.nl.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Norway.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Portgual.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Retail Investor based in the Portugal.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Spain.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Sweden.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Retail Investor based in the Sweden.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the Switzerland.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
If you are a retail investor, we recommend that you seek qualified financial advice before making any investment decisions.
You can get the current prospectuses, accounts, important information for investors and fund prices at https://www.fundinfo.com. Please click the accept button and select the county in which you live and identify yourself as a private investor.
Risk notice - Capital risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the United Kingdom.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Professional Investor based in the United Kingdom.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Individual Investor based in the United Kingdom.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
I confirm that I am a Institutional Investor based in the United States.
Entry to the website is subject to your understanding of certain terms and important information which are available below:
By accepting entry to this website you confirm that you have read these terms and important information.
Risk Warning
Capital at risk. The value of investments may go up or down and is not guaranteed.
History of green bonds |
Green bonds emerged in 2007 when the European Investment Bank issued Climate Awareness Bonds (CAB), which had proceeds ring-fenced toward renewable energy and energy efficiency. Shortly after, the World Bank issued a sustainability-linked bond that became the first issuance to use the term “green” bond. Today, a green bond is essentially a debt security aimed at raising capital to support climate or environmental projects. More broadly, the labeled bond market has expanded to include social, sustainability and other bond issuances aimed at targeted environmental or social projects. |
Green, social and sustainability bonds—collectively referred to as labeled bonds—are increasingly becoming an important part of global fixed income markets. For the year 2020, the labeled bond market issuance exceeded $745 billion according to Bloomberg. Demand and supply have accelerated in recent years as investors hunt for sustainable investment solutions and companies pursue financing for environmental or social projects. We believe the recent growth in the labeled bond market is evidence of the broader secular shift toward a more sustainable global economy.
Green bond issuance has accelerated in recent years. At the end of 2020, global green bonds totaled $226 billion, which was up from approximately $39 billion at the end of 2015—close to a six-fold increase during the period (Exhibit 1).
Green bonds represent approximately 40% of the labeled bond market, but social and sustainability bonds are seeing increasing interest from issuers and investors. As social issues like Covid-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement rose to the forefront in 2020, issuance of social bonds grew to about 20% of the total labeled bond issuance in 2020 compared to 2% in the previous year.
Although EUR-dominated bonds have historically dominated the marketplace, we have witnessed rapid growth in US dollar-denominated debt. In 2021, USD-denominated labeled bonds are expected to surpass EUR-denominated for the first time, according to JP Morgan, indicating that interest in labeled bonds is broadening globally.
Exhibit 1: Labeled bond market issuance
Source: Bloomberg. Reflects annual issuance through December 31, 2020.
Despite the strong growth in the supply of labeled bonds in recent years, demand appears to be outstripping supply, suggesting there is room for continued growth in supply. As evidence, within the investment grade corporate bond market, we estimate that labeled bonds have recently traded about five basis points tighter than a plain vanilla bond issued by the same company with a similar duration. While this premium, or the so-called “greenium”, may vary across issuers and sectors, we anticipate this premium will eventually close as the supply of labeled bonds continues to grow to meet investor demand. In the coming years, we think there will be continued supply coming to market to match elevated demand.
The significant growth in the labeled bond market is a function of rising investor demand for sustainability linked investments coupled with issuers securing financing for environmental, social and sustainability related projects. Amid low interest rates and high investor demand, some issuers are opportunistically taking advantage of market conditions to secure cheaper financing. As a result, the risk of greenwashing is growing. Issuers may be prone to false promises as the use of proceeds may not align with the intended projects and/or reporting may not provide sufficient transparency. To mitigate this risk, fixed income investors need to carefully assess each issuance on a case-by-case basis.
According to a Journal of Environmental Investing report in 2020, we have 29 different labels which creates complexities in the absence of common standards. Labels were designed to provide this dynamic market credibility and help investors to measure and compare their investments. All labels tend to share common ground by focusing on the use of proceeds and aim to identify contribution to sustainability or ESG goals. However, navigating this space becomes unnecessarily complex given the quantity of various labels. This complexity does not promote transparency, reduces the ability to compare different bonds on green credentials and can increase the risk of greenwashing.
In the absence of a common industry standard, issuers of labeled bonds can be prone to false promises. Many companies fail to publish promised reports on their labeled bonds or inadequately report on the metrics that are most relevant to measure the success of the identified projects. While the labels may imply certain expectations for reporting and other metrics, they lack a credible enforcement mechanism. A Climate Bond Initiative study in 2019 found that approximately two-thirds of issuers provide post-issuance reporting and almost 50% of issuers report both allocations to projects and impact metrics.
In Europe, the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy is partly trying to solve these problems by giving clear guidance and outlining a high-level framework to help define sustainable investments. The Taxonomy proposes a simple process to determine the sustainability of an investment:
As with any growing market that lacks standardization, a thorough case-by-case assessment is key. A rigorous evaluation of the use of proceeds and reporting can help assess the true sustainability profile of the investment. Furthermore, active engagement can help address problems related to frameworks, labels and post-issuance reporting. Five key steps include:
Within public fixed income, we’ve found that the sustainable fixed income opportunity set extends well beyond labeled bonds. In other words, labeled bonds represent merely one way to advance sustainability initiatives.
Labeled bonds can be an attractive sustainable investment when the use of proceeds is fully aligned and transparent. However, there are numerous issuers with products, services and business practices that address sustainability issues that do not issue labeled bonds. In those cases, companies that provide products and services that are aligned with sustainable initiatives and pivoting their business toward sustainability could easily get overlooked in a green-bond-only strategy. Further, while green bond market growth has been impressive, the issuance pales in comparison to the size of global debt markets with $6.86 trillion of total issuance in 2019.
By identifying issuers with products, services or practices that align with sustainability initiatives, investors can widen the opportunity set to include labeled and unlabeled bonds that align with environmental, social and sustainability initiatives. From corporate credit and sovereign debt to securitized credit and municipals, a comprehensive proprietary research approach can identify numerous opportunities to invest sustainably while pursuing competitive excess returns over the long term.
Disclosures
This material is provided by Aegon Asset Management (Aegon AM) as general information and is intended exclusively for institutional and wholesale investors, as well as professional clients (as defined by local laws and regulation) and other Aegon AM stakeholders.
This document is for informational purposes only in connection with the marketing and advertising of products and services, and is not investment research, advice or a recommendation. It shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation to buy any investment nor shall any offer of products or services be made to any person in any jurisdiction where unlawful or unauthorized. Any opinions, estimates, or forecasts expressed are the current views of the author(s) at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. The research taken into account in this document may or may not have been used for or be consistent with all Aegon Asset Management investment strategies. References to securities, asset classes and financial markets are included for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon to assist or inform the making of any investment decisions. It has not been prepared in accordance with any legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and may have been acted upon by Aegon AM and Aegon AM staff for their own purposes.
The information contained in this material does not take into account any investor's investment objectives, particular needs, or financial situation. It should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter and should not be relied upon as such. Nothing in this material constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate to any particular investor. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision. Aegon Asset Management is under no obligation, expressed or implied, to update the information contained herein. Neither Aegon Asset Management nor any of its affiliated entities are undertaking to provide impartial investment advice or give advice in a fiduciary capacity for purposes of any applicable US federal or state law or regulation. By receiving this communication, you agree with the intended purpose described above.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. All investments contain risk and may lose value. This document contains "forward-looking statements" which are based on Aegon AM's beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events, based on information currently available. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Consequently, such statements cannot be guarantees of future performance, and actual outcomes and returns may differ materially from statements set forth herein.
All investments contain risk and may lose value. Responsible investing is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the criteria utilized, or judgment exercised, by any company of Aegon AM will reflect the beliefs or values of any one particular investor. Responsible norms differ by region. There is no assurance that the responsible investing strategy and techniques employed will be successful. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.
The following Aegon affiliates are collectively referred to herein as Aegon Asset Management: Aegon USA Investment Management, LLC (Aegon AM US), Aegon USA Realty Advisors, LLC (Aegon RA), Aegon Asset Management UK (Aegon AM UK), and Aegon Investment Management B.V. (Aegon AM NL). Each of these Aegon Asset Management entities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aegon N.V. In addition, the following wholly or partially owned affiliates may also conduct certain business activities under the Aegon Asset Management brand: Aegon Asset Management (Asia) Limited (Aegon AM Asia).
Aegon AM UK plc is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 144267) and is additionally a registered investment adviser with the United States (US) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Aegon AM US and Aegon RA are both US SEC registered investment advisors. Aegon AM US is also registered as a Commodity Trading Advisor (DTA) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and is a member of the National Futures Association (NFA). Aegon AM NL is registered with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets as a licensed fund management company and on the basis of its fund management license is also authorized to provide individual portfolio management and advisory services in certain jurisdictions. Aegon AM NL has also entered into a participating affiliate arrangement with Aegon AM US. Aegon AM Asia is regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (CE No. AVR688) to carry out regulated activities in Dealing in Securities (Type 1) and Advising on Securities (Type 4).
©2021 Aegon Asset Management or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
AdTrax: 3385637.1 GBL
Exp Date: December 31, 2022
Responsible Investment Manager
Senior Portfolio Manager