ECONOMY & POLICY

"Reducing Carbon Footprint: Strategies for Environmental Sustainability"

Somewhere in 2006, Swedish pension funds concerned with global warming and environmental degradation were looking to diversify their portfolio to include investments in environment-friendly projects that would not carry additional risk. They could not find any such instruments. This led t...

Somewhere in 2006, Swedish pension funds concerned with global warming and environmental degradation were looking to diversify their portfolio to include investments in environment-friendly projects that would not carry additional risk. They could not find any such instruments. This led them to explore the possibility of creating an instrument like a regular investment product in terms of yield, security, risk and maturity, while addressing concerns related to the environment. After many discussions with stakeholders, the draft of an instrument was prepared. With this, investors approached the World Bank within a month of deliberations, the Bank accepted the concept and worked out the details and the first ‘green bond’ was born in 2008. This bond created the blueprint for today’s green bond in terms of the criteria to be followed to be classified as one. While drafting the product, financial and environmental teams interacted, understanding and addressing their respective concerns, to ensure that the bond meets the objective with which it was designed. This included criteria like opinion from recognised climate research institutions, transparency and impact reporting. This bond established that it is possible to raise funds at competitive rates for environmentally sustainable projects and that there is a large pool of investors willing to invest in such bonds. What are green bonds? Green bonds are fixed-income instruments funding projects related to the climate and environment. However, deciding what should count within that definition can be difficult. The Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), International Capital Market Association (ICMA), European Union and Chinese government have developed guidelines to define green bonds. Broadly, green bonds finance projects aimed at energy efficiency, pollution prevention, sustainable agriculture, fishery and forestry, the protection of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, clean transportation, clean water and sustainable water management.

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Infrastructure Urban

Consistent reforms will foster growth and reduce investor risk

Incorporated in 1986 as a wholly owned subsidiary of State Bank of India, SBI Capital Markets Ltd (SBICAPS) is a SEBI-registered Category I merchant banker and research analyst. It offers the entire bouquet of investment banking and corporate advisory services under one umbrella, covering project advisory and structured financing, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, ESG advisory, startup advisory and stressed assets resolution. Headquartered in Mumbai, SBICAPS has seven regional offices of which six are in India (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and New ..

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Infrastructure Urban

Adani Group Invests $240M in Global Skills Academy

The Adani Group has announced a partnership with ITE Education Services (ITEES) of Singapore to establish a world-class talent pipeline for industries such as Green Energy, Manufacturing, Hi-tech, Project Excellence, and Industrial Design. The initiative will see an investment of over $240 million by the Adani family to set up internationally benchmarked schools of excellence, named Adani Global Skills Academy. These finishing schools will train students from technical and vocational backgrounds, equipping them with industry-relevant certifications. Graduates will have employment opportunities..

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Infrastructure Urban

Swiggy to Invest $120M in Scootsy for Expansion

Food and grocery delivery giant Swiggy Ltd announced on Friday that it will invest up to $120 million in its wholly owned subsidiary Scootsy Logistics in one or more tranches. Scootsy specializes in supply chain services and distribution, including warehouse management, in-warehouse processing with value-added services, and order fulfillment for wholesalers and retailers. "We wish to inform that the Board of Directors of the company, at its meeting held on Friday, February 21, 2025, has approved the investment by the company in the equity shares of Scootsy Logistics Private Limited, a wholly..

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