Green Bonds and Renewable Energy: A Proposal for a Green Bond Program in Alberta
Date
2021-09-23
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Abstract
Our planetary emergencies have necessitated a major overhaul of the global energy system. The heightened determination to pursue aggressive emission reduction targets calls for more effective approaches and policies. At the heart of this discussion is the concept of green bonds. As a result of the interconnectedness of finance, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, it is imperative to study the underlying variables that advance the issuance of green bonds to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. The study, using an interdisciplinary and doctrinal legal research approach, investigates green bonds situated in the context of green finance as a vehicle for mobilizing capital to support renewable energy integration efforts. The research also examines the use of green bonds as a strategy for achieving country-specific nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement. It considers how green bonds can influence Canada’s energy transition goals, with a particular focus on Alberta, a carbon-intensive province. In light of this, the thesis examines the potential impact of green bonds on Alberta’s renewable energy transition goals, and its oil and gas industry. The research recommends the development of an Alberta Green Bond Policy and Taxonomy to standardize and provide better clarity in the market. These recommendations are particularly important for early-stage issuers who are desirous of tapping into the market, and to enable investor’s make informed decisions while also ensuring enhanced transparency to alleviate concerns of greenwashing.
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Keywords
Green Bonds, Green Finance, Climate Change
Citation
Lawal, M. (2021). Green Bonds and Renewable Energy: A Proposal for a Green Bond Program in Alberta (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.