In 2019, the State of the Netherlands was the first country with a triple-A rating to issue a Green Bond (DSL). In 2023, the Netherlands will issue a new 20-year Green DSL.
Green Bonds are bonds of which the proceeds will be allocated to green, or climate-related, expenditures and investments. By issuing the Green Bond, the Netherlands aims to further enhance and support the establishment of a robust green capital market.
With the reopening of the Green Bond, an additional € 4.98 billion was issued. This makes the total outstanding amount of this bond € 15.96 billion.
This year, the DSTA will issue a new Green 20-year DSL, with an issuance volume of approximately €5 billion in 2023.
The proceeds of the Green Bond will be allocated expenditures and investments related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation and climate change adaptation. The DSTA has committed itself to report on the allocation of the proceeds and on the impact.
As is common practice with a Green Bond, an independent expert has assessed the Dutch Green Bond. For the reopening of the green bond in 2022, the DSTA updated the Green Bond Framework in order to ensure it is aligned with the new EU Taxonomy and the proposed EU Green Bond Standard.
The independent expert, Sustainalytics, has concluded that the updated Green Bond Framework, underlying this Green Bond, is credible, meaningful. This is the first European framework that is so closely in line with the EU Taxonomy. The investment expenditure categories are in line with the core elements of the Green Bond Principles from the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). In addition, the green bond has been certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative.