CrossBoundary Advisory
21.03.2023
Report
21.03.2023
Report

Sovereign Advisory Viewpoints – Debt for Climate Swaps

Key Facts
Debt for Climate Swaps provide partial relief to a fiscally constrained debtor in exchange for a commitment towards climate and nature-based initiatives.
One reason why the Debt for Climate Swap structure is still considered in its infancy is because there isn’t a standardized process in place to issue them yet.
Much like with carbon credits, debt swaps have the potential to reward investment in our planet and should not only be seen as a solution in times of distress.

CrossBoundary's latest Sovereign Advisory Viewpoints report is a brief explainer on the topic of Debt for Climate Swaps and should be useful to both experienced market participants and the casually curious.

Climate change, industrialization, and rapid human population growth have all had negative effects on the planet – effects that reach beyond borders and pose an existential threat to our species.

At the same time, Governments – particularly in emerging markets – have had to cope with worsening economic outlooks and increased fiscal stress.

The Debt for Climate Swap – while still considered in its infancy, is a tool that can provide partial relief to fiscally constrained debtor nations in exchange for commitments towards climate and nature-based initiatives.

“The current inflation and interest rate picture has once more brought to the fore the question of debt sustainability. Debt swaps are a valuable tool in the arsenal of options that some governments have to both reduce their fiscal burden and work towards their NDCs,” says Stephen Akpakwu, CrossBoundary’s Head of Sovereign Advisory.

The Debt for Climate Swaps structure is still considered in its infancy but provides partial relief to a fiscally constrained debtor in exchange for a commitment to climate and nature-based initiatives.

Download the Sovereign Advisory Viewpoints report on Debt for Climate Swaps.