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Where's the green bond premium? Evidence from China

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  • Li, Quan
  • Zhang, Kai
  • Wang, Li

Abstract

Recently, China has rapidly established the second largest green bond market in the world through a series of policy support measures, and the effects of these policies are the focus of widespread attention. This paper is the first to compare the difference in yield spreads between labeled green bonds and non-labeled green bonds in the primary market in China. We find that although labeled and non-labeled green bonds meet the same green certification standard, green characteristics alone cannot reduce the financing costs of issuers; rather, only officially certified labeled green bonds can effectively reduce the yield spread. Moreover, this paper finds that due to policy guarantee expectations, labeled green bonds can effectively reduce their financing costs under a high-credit-risk environment. Further analysis reveals significant differences in issue pricing between green bonds with different purposes.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Quan & Zhang, Kai & Wang, Li, 2022. "Where's the green bond premium? Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:48:y:2022:i:c:s1544612322001970
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2022.102950
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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