Demand for innovative green and sustainable financing structures is rapidly increasing as ESG considerations continue to influence capital allocation. Australia’s rapidly evolving regulatory framework is reinforcing this, including through initiatives such as mandatory climate-related disclosure obligations under the Corporations Act and the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy developed by the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI).
Borrowers and issuers across every sector are turning to financial products that align capital raising with their sustainability strategies, and meet the heightened expectations of investors, regulators and other stakeholders – green bonds, sustainability-linked loans (SLLs), transition finance facilities, green securitisations, ESG-linked derivatives, social bonds and blended finance arrangements.
Our market-leading banking and finance team has deep expertise in green and sustainable finance products and structures, working closely with Corrs’ energy and resources, infrastructure, capital markets, projects and corporate advisory practices to deliver fully integrated advice.
We are the trusted legal adviser for Australia’s leading domestic and international banks, institutional lenders, infrastructure sponsors and borrowers, advising them on their most significant sustainable finance transactions. Clients partner with us for our technical expertise, deep sector knowledge including an understanding of those driving Australia’s energy transition and net zero ambitions, and our end-to-end advice on green and sustainable financing.
We advise on:
- Green bonds and sustainability bonds, and alignment with the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, ICMA Green Bond Principles and the Climate Bonds Standard
- Sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) and sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs)
- Transition finance including advising on credible transition finance facilities and instruments for high-emitting sectors seeking a pathway to net zero
- Green securitisations including certified green asset-backed securities, covered bonds and warehouse facilities for banks, non-bank lenders and originators, including advice on certification, eligibility criteria and disclosure obligations
- Government co-financing such as program agreements, concessional finance structures and co-financing arrangements under programs from EFA, ARENA and CEFC
- ESG-linked derivatives and hedging
- Social finance including social impact bonds, social benefit bonds, affordable housing finance and other outcome-based financing structures delivering measurable social outcomes
- Greenwashing risk management and regulatory compliance including advising on ASIC regulatory guidance and disclosure obligations to manage greenwashing risk and maintain the integrity of sustainable finance products
