The rapid growth of green bond issuances is evidence that markets are responding to the financial sector’s increasing recognition of the need for action on climate change. Predicted to double in 2014, green bonds offer a source of hope and action as these instruments find international traction and the support of major financial institutions. As You Sow is hosting a series of webinars to focus on this important issue.

“Green Bonds will help deliver trillions of dollars of investment in low-carbon infrastructure that is needed to stabilize emissions,” said Amelia Timbers, As You Sow’s Energy Program Manager. “Green Bonds are an ideal financial vehicle for the challenge of climate change in that their ability to scale and be deployed quickly matches the urgency of climate change.”

Read our detailed Q&A from the first Green Bonds webinar

The first webinar, available above, is a detailed discussion of critical issues:

What are Green Bonds?

Green Bonds are issued by corporations, governments, development banks, and agencies to fund projects with greenhouse gas reduction or other sustainability purposes, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable waste management, low carbon transportation, water conservation, and much more.

How much has been invested?

With over $10 billion in issuances in 2013, the global Green Bond market is expected to double in 2014. This booming sector is being hastened and facilitated by investment banks who see the potential in the market.

What institutions are issuing Green Bonds?

Green Bonds have been issued by the World Bank, European Investment Bank, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for years, but the market is rapidly expanding with issuances from private sector organizations such as Bank of America Merrill Lynch, MidAmerican Energy, France’s EDF, and others.

What are the Green Bonds Principles?

A consortium of banks recently released the Green Bonds Principles, which provide voluntary guidance and process tools for green bonds issuance.

The first webinar features experts from the International Finance Corporation, the largest and first issuer of Green Bonds; the Climate Bonds Initiative, the leading NGO in the green bond space; and the Massachusetts State Treasury, the first US state to issue green bonds.