OREANDA-NEWS. December 03, 2015. The issue was completed successfully with more than 100 investors subscribing for a total of 1.2 billion euros. This “green bond” represents a “first” for Groupe BPCE and called on the expertise of BPCE, Natixis and Natixis Energ?co. The funds raised by the BPCE issue will be transferred to Natixis in the form of a loan, the proceeds of which will in turn be allocated, on a gradual basis, to Natixis Energ?co for the financing of eligible projects.

The projects selected by Natixis Energ?co will focus on the design, construction and/or maintenance of renewable energy production units (wind, solar and biomass) located in France. The project-selection process meets a strict set of criteria, using a methodology developed by Natixis and independently appraised by Vig?o.

Every year, Groupe BPCE will publish on its www.BPCE.fr website the list of project selection criteria, the size of the available funding envelope, the eligible projects as well as a series of environmental, social and governance indicators (ESG) presenting, in particular, their impact on the climate. This reporting system will be audited by an independent expert.

Olivier Irisson, CFO of Groupe BPCE, said: “Sustainable development lies at the very heart of the Group’s business activities and the issue of a green bond corresponds perfectly to our green growth objectives. The enthusiasm generated by this issue among investors – who oversubscribed it by a factor of four – reinforces our ambitions to become a benchmark player in green growth and in reducing the carbon footprint. We have demonstrated our ability to raise funds to finance renewable energy projects and, in so doing, to play an active role in financing the energy transition.”

Stephane Pasquier, CEO of Natixis Energ?co, made the following statement: “Our renewable energy funding activity has grown considerably over the past 15 years, winning us true recognition on the part of our customers. As a subsidiary of Natixis Lease, working on behalf of the cooperative shareholder networks of Groupe BPCE, we have demonstrated our long-term commitment to sustainable development. This issue now raises our profile among institutional investors worldwide, confirming the know-how of our people and the quality of our portfolio.”

Groupe BPCE’s commitment in favor of the climate

The launch of this initial green bond issue intensifies Groupe BPCE’s commitment to the fight against global warming. A pioneer in eco-friendly loans, Groupe BPCE has long been supporting renewable energy projects with a 30% market share. In France, the Group has loan outstandings for approximately 7.5 billion euros for thermal-renovation and renewable energy projects, via the Banque Populaire banks, the Caisses d’Epargne, Banque Palatine, Cr?dit Coop?ratif and Natixis.

The expertise developed by Groupe BPCE is recognized by the EIB and the European Commission: the EIB works through Groupe BPCE and its retail networks in France to pursue several programs related to the energy transition in the form of additional financial resources provided at low interest rates. In 2012, the European Commission chose Groupe BPCE to be a pilot banking institution in France on the ELENA/KfW program aimed at speeding up investment in energy efficiency.

Natixis has been working since the early 2000s to arrange financing for renewable energy projects of all sizes and using all types of technical solutions (solar, wind, hydroelectric and biomass) throughout the world. It now ranks among the leading players in the energy transition in terms of number of operations and amount financed. Natixis has provided funds for 30 new renewal energy projects since the beginning of 2015, both in France and overseas, and has backed eleven green bond issues over the past 18 months.

Natixis Energ?co, a Natixis subsidiary specializing in financing projects related to renewables, has built up considerable experience in this sector in France, becoming the No.1 French arranger of financing for renewable energy projects (IJ Global 2013 and 2014 ranking).

Mirova, the management company devoted to responsible investment belonging to Natixis Asset Management, includes more than 20% of green bonds in its fixed income strategy. In 2015, its Mirova Green Bond – Global fund was the first green bond fund to be awarded the Novethic label.