SRI Bonds | About SRI Bonds (2024)

1972The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is launched1991The UNEP announces the Finance Initiative2007The European Investment Bank (EIB) issues green bonds for the first time in the world2008The World Bank issues its first green bonds2013The Export-Import Bank of Korea issues its first overseas green bonds by a Korean issuer that raise USD500m2014The International Capital Market Association (ICMA) announces the Green Bond Principles (Subsequently, the Social Bond Principles and Sustainability Bond Guidelines are separated from the Green Bond Principles)2015The UN adopts 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)2018The Korea Development Bank issues the first domestic green bonds that raise KRW300bn (This is based on its registration and goes the same for the following)
The Korea Development Bank issues the first domestic social bonds that raise KRW300bn
The Export-Import Bank of Korea issues first domestic sustainability bonds that raise KRW350bn2019The Korean Government issues domestic green and sustainability bonds (Foreign Exchange Equalization Fund Bond) that raise USD500m
Guidelines on the management of the socially responsible investing segment are set out2020In Jun., The KRX launches a segment dedicated to SRI bonds / The International Capital Market Association(ICMA) announces the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles
In Aug., The Green Finance Taskforce is launched (comprising ministries and authorities, such as the Financial Services Commission and Ministry of Environment, policy financing institutions, private financial companies, advisory group)
In Dec., Korea's Green Bond Guideline (K-GBG) is announced (jointly by the Ministry of Environment, Financial Services Commission, Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, and Korea Exchange)2021In Apr., The outstanding amount of the SRI bond segment passes the KRW100tn mark
In Aug., The Korean Government announces a plan to increase the ESG infrastructure
In Oct., The Korean Government issues the first euro-denominated green bond by an Asian sovereign that raises EUR700m)
In Dec., Korea's Green Taxonomy (K-Taxonomy) is announced by the Ministry of Environment2022In Jun., The listed outstanding amount of the SRI bond segment exceeds KRW 200tn
In Sep., Korea Exchange adopts Sustainability-Linked bonds into the SRI bond segment