Région Île-de-France: Best Sustainability Bond Issuer France 2021

Région Île-de-France is a pioneer of sustainability, issuing green bonds worth €4bn between 2012 and 2020. It was the first European regional authority to cover capital expenditure through green financing. The region accounts for nearly a third of French GDP, and last year launched an €800m Eurobond to finance Covid recovery — the largest and the longest-maturity transaction in its history. It was also the first dual-tranche bond offered by Région Île-de-France, achieving a record high for investor participation and a record low for overall financing costs. Over the past eight years, international investor numbers have doubled, accounting for 52 percent of the base. The authority seeks to improve quality of life with strategic investment and the shrewd management of its main sectors: transport, economic and environmental development, research, secondary education, professional training, employment, social inclusion, housing and culture. Last year, over half of budgeted capital expenditures contributed to the region’s ecological ambitions. This year, the top priorities are to improve responses to the pandemic, implement at least half of regional climate-change commitments, and pursue an investment plan to create 30,000 new high school places. Work continues on digitalisation and energy efficiency for schools, and the region continues to fight rising poverty among young people. The CFI.co judging panel presents Région Île-de-France with the 2021 award for Best Sustainability Bond Issuer (France).