Covivio launches the conversion of its bond issues into “Green Bonds”

Environmental ambition reaffirmed in late 2021

Towards the end of 2021, Covivio revised its carbon trajectory and announced new targets (approved by the SBT initiative) aiming at a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This target, which encompasses scopes 1, 2 and 3, covers the full range of activities in Europe and the entire asset life cycle: construction, remodelling, materials and operation. Covivio is also targeting a net zero carbon contribution from 2030 onwards for scopes 1 and 2.

In pursuing these goals, Covivio continues to increase the share of certified portfolio. At the end of 2021, 91% of Covivio’s portfolio is covered by HQE, BREEAM, LEED or equivalent certification, for operation and/or construction. Close to its target of 100%, Covivio is now aiming to improve the levels of certification obtained. The Group is also working on aligning its assets with the green criteria of the EU taxonomy.

Acceleration on the alignment of financing policy with ESG goals

In line with its enhanced environmental goals, the Group has decided to raise the standards of its Sustainable Bond Framework by launching the conversion of all regular bond tranches issued by Covivio into Green Bonds.

Under the new Sustainable Bond Framework, which will gradually phase in EU taxonomy criteria and whose alignment with the Green Bond Principles and Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles published by the International Capital Market Association has been confirmed by Moody’s ESG (link to the reports), eligible assets must:

• hold minimum HQE Excellent, BREEAM Excellent (“Very Good” in the case of assets already delivered), LEED or DGNB Gold certification;
• be located less than 500 m from a public transport;
• provide environmental annexes or clauses on leases in France and new leases in Italy and Germany.

Office assets worth €4.7 billion are already eligible for the Framework^¹. The Group plans to increase the eligible share of its assets mainly by continuously improving portfolio quality with a focus on redevelopment and improvements in existing portfolio buildings such as Monceau and Anjou in Paris. These projects are now also covered by the Sustainable Bond Framework.
Besides issuing Green Bonds in order to align its financing policy with the environmental quality of its buildings, Covivio will also be able to issue Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLB) under the new Framework. SLBs have the characteristic of offering investors an interest rate linked to the achievement of environmental objectives. In line with its strategy, Covivio has selected its greenhouse gas reduction targets as approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.

Moody’s ESG Second Party Opinion recognises the consistency of the Sustainable Bond Framework with Covivio’s CSR strategy and objectives, and gives a “Robust” rating to the contribution, expected impacts and CSR risk management of the Green Bonds Framework. Covivio’s key performance indicators and carbon footprint reduction targets are rated “Advanced” (best grade), as is Covivio’s overall CSR performance. On the carbon trajectory, Moody’s stresses that Covivio’s targets are more ambitious than those of peers.
As part of the rollout of the new Framework, Covivio seeks the approval of the holders of bonds maturing in October 2024, June 2027, February 2028 and June 2030 (€1.7bn) to have their bonds reclassified as Green Bonds. The first general meeting of bondholders will be held on 20th June 2022. Furthermore, existing Green Bonds issued in 2016, 2019 and 2021 (€1.1bn) will henceforth be governed by the more stringent criteria of the new Framework.

The reclassification of outstanding bonds as Green Bonds will have no impact on the other bond characteristics such as terms and conditions, coupon and maturity.
If the bondholders vote in favour of the change, Covivio’s balance sheet will include nearly €3 billion of green debt.

¹ Assets in operation and committed development projects at end March 2022. Net of dedicated financing, the value amounts to €4.0bn