More ESG bonds issued in 2024 but by less firms: Report
Published: 03 Jun. 2025, 11:51
Updated: 03 Jun. 2025, 14:48
![Buildings of major companies in central Seoul on Oct. 26, 2022. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2025/06/03/657264ae-39e3-4819-8bcd-591f707ca6ec.jpg)
Buildings of major companies in central Seoul on Oct. 26, 2022. [YONHAP]
Sales of environment, social and governance (ESG) bonds in Korea increased from a year earlier in 2024, driven by government-backed financial support, but the number of issuing firms declined, a report showed Tuesday.
According to the report by Korea Investors Service, a total of 47.2 trillion won ($34.3 billion) worth of ESG bonds were issued last year, up 12.2 percent from the previous year.
An ESG bond is a type of sustainability debt offering aimed at financing corporate activities in environmentally friendly and sustainable projects.
The report attributed the rise in ESG bond issuance to government-led financial policies promoting green initiatives.
Despite the growth in total issuance, the report offered a cautious outlook for the local ESG bond market, noting the number of issuers had dropped sharply to 91 in 2024 after peaking at 154 in 2021.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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