Analyzing the impact of eco-friendly bonds on economic growth and environmental sustainability

Abstract

In recent decades, a noticeable uptick has been seen in the issuing of eco-friendly bonds across green, social, and sustainable categories. The study examines their intersection with economic expansion and sustainability using panel data from 82 countries analyzed through robust fixed-effects estimators. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between the issuing of eco-friendly bonds and economic growth. Interestingly, a negative relationship emerges between bond performance and growth, suggesting that the mere issuing of bonds may not be enough to ensure sustainable economic expansion. The importance of refined valuation methods for these bonds is emphasized, along with the risk of economic imbalance caused by the uneven distribution of bond investments across sectors, akin to the "Dutch disease." The need to align investment strategies with both economic and environmental objectives to address challenges like persistent carbon emissions is also stressed. The authors advocate the integrating of considerations of bond issuance and performance into long-term sustainability strategies. Despite holding potential for positive environmental impact, eco-friendly bonds may not consistently drive economic growth as initially anticipated, particularly when balancing the development and carbon-reduction objectives.