Tools:
Green Bonds

Green bonds work just like any other corporate or government bond. Borrowers issue these securities in order to secure financing for projects that will have a positive environmental impact, such as ecosystem restoration or reducing pollution. By establishing good jobs criteria during the issuance process, green bonds may empower localities to circumvent some of the systemic forces that devalue work.

Landscape Architects can better educate ourselves on financing that circumvents some of the systemic forces that devalue work and degrade our environments, contribute to and shape the criteria for bond issuance, and seek projects backed by green bonds.

 

Case Study

The Province of Ontario (Canada) - Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail project in Toronto, the largest public transit expansion in the history of the region.

Part of 4 bond issues between 500 million - 1 billion Canadian dollars within timeframes of 4-7 year bond tenures issued by the government of Ontario with over 50 investors. Eligible projects fell into the following categories identified in the Province of Ontario’s Green Bond Framework including the transit expansion:

  • Clean transportation

  • Energy efficiency and conservation

  • Clean energy and technology

  • Forestry, agriculture, and land management

  • Climate adaptation and resilience

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development “Consultation Draft: Green Bonds-Ecosystem, Issuance Process and Case Studies.” Accessed 10 Apr. 2022. Image-Richard Eriksson from Toronto, Canada.jpg, 2021.