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How Large is the Sovereign Greenium?

Author

Listed:
  • Mr. Sakai Ando
  • Mr. Chenxu Fu
  • Mr. Francisco Roch
  • Ursula Wiriadinata

Abstract

This paper assembles a comprehensive sovereign green bond database and estimates the sovereign greenium. The development of green bond markets has been one of the most important financial breakthroughs in the domain of sustainable finance during the last 15 years. A central benefit associated with green bonds has been that they exhibit a positive green premium (greenium), i.e., a lower yield relative to a similar conventional bond. Yet, issuances at the sovereign level have been relatively recent and not well documented in the literature. We find that green bonds are issued at a relatively small premium (4 basis points on average) in Advanced Economies. Yet, importantly, the greenium is growing over time and is considerably larger (11 basis points on average) for Emerging Market Economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Sakai Ando & Mr. Chenxu Fu & Mr. Francisco Roch & Ursula Wiriadinata, 2023. "How Large is the Sovereign Greenium?," IMF Working Papers 2023/080, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2023/080
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    Cited by:

    1. Giusy Chesini, 2024. "Can Sovereign Green Bonds Accelerate the Transition to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions?," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 30(2), pages 177-197, May.
    2. Chang, Kaiwen & Luo, Dan & Xing, Kai & Mi, Biao, 2025. "The effectiveness of the green bond instrument on stimulating firms' green innovation performance: A comparative study based on Chinese market," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    3. Siddique, Md. Abubakar & Nobanee, Haitham & Hasan, Md. Bokhtiar & Uddin, Gazi Salah & Nahiduzzaman, Md., 2024. "Is investing in green assets costlier? Green vs. non-green financial assets," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 1460-1481.
    4. Ugo Panizza & Beatrice Weder di Mauro & Shuyang Shi & Mitu Gulati, 2025. "The Sovereign Greenium: Big Promise but Small Price Effect," IHEID Working Papers 16-2025, Economics Section, The Graduate Institute of International Studies.
    5. Gong Cheng & Torsten Ehlers & Frank Packer & Yanzhe Xiao, 2024. "Sovereign Green Bonds: A Catalyst for Sustainable Debt Market Development?," IMF Working Papers 2024/120, International Monetary Fund.

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    JEL classification:

    • F34 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Lending and Debt Problems
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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