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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Featured Pathways

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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

More pathways

Book a demo

Ready to get started?

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Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

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Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

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Featured Content

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Labelled Bonds for a Low Carbon Transition

Labelled Bonds for a Low Carbon Transition

Matthew MacGeoch

In this video, Matthew explores the critical role of transition finance in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, and agriculture. He explains how financial instruments like use-of-proceeds bonds and performance-linked bonds fund credible transition plans aligned with 1.5°C climate goals. He also highlights the challenges and opportunities in financing these industries and discusses the role of policies, taxonomies, and sustainable debt markets in enabling low-carbon transitions.

In this video, Matthew explores the critical role of transition finance in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, and agriculture. He explains how financial instruments like use-of-proceeds bonds and performance-linked bonds fund credible transition plans aligned with 1.5°C climate goals. He also highlights the challenges and opportunities in financing these industries and discusses the role of policies, taxonomies, and sustainable debt markets in enabling low-carbon transitions.

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Labelled Bonds for a Low Carbon Transition

4 mins 33 secs

Key learning objectives:

  • Understand the role of transition finance in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors

  • Recognise the difference between use-of-proceeds bonds and performance-linked bonds in transition finance

  • Identify the challenges and opportunities in financing hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and agriculture

  • Outline the role of policy support and sustainable debt markets in enabling low-carbon transitions

Overview:

Transition finance is essential for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and agriculture, enabling their shift to a low-carbon economy. It uses financial instruments like green bonds and performance-linked bonds to fund credible transition plans aligned with 1.5°C goals. Policy support and evolving taxonomies guide these efforts globally, ensuring financial flows reach critical industries. Transition finance reduces emissions, fosters innovation, and drives progress toward climate targets, emphasising the need for comprehensive, strategic plans within organisations.

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Summary
What is transition finance, and why is it important?

Transition finance funds decarbonisation in sectors needing significant operational changes. It supports hard-to-abate industries like steel, cement, and agriculture, which are critical to achieving climate goals but face complex transition challenges.

What financial instruments are used in transition finance?
Transition finance employs two types of instruments:

  1. Use-of-proceeds bonds (e.g., green bonds) focus funds on sustainable projects
  2. Performance-linked bonds (e.g., sustainability-linked bonds) tie financial terms to decarbonisation targets

Why is transition finance focused on hard-to-abate sectors?

Hard-to-abate sectors have high emissions but lack clear transition pathways, unlike energy or transport. Transition finance channels capital to these industries, enabling necessary innovations and decarbonisation efforts that were previously underfunded.

How do policies and tools support transition finance?

Policies like the EU Taxonomy, Japan’s coordinated sectoral pathways, and UK disclosure standards provide frameworks for financing and reporting transitions. These regional approaches align with global goals, fostering investment in sustainable projects.

What are the broader impacts of transition finance?

Transition finance reduces emissions, fosters competitiveness, and drives innovation in critical industries. It supports the global low-carbon transition and ensures financial flows align with strategic, ambitious climate action plans.

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Matthew MacGeoch

Matthew MacGeoch

Matthew MacGeoch is a Senior Research Analyst at Climate Bonds' Research Team, specialising in transition plans, transition finance, and hard-to-abate sectors. He has led the development of Climate Bonds' SLB dataset and methodology, and has since developed their transition plan monitor. He has experience from the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs, the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development, and the Oxford Silk Road Society Think tank. He has also worked at the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association and Lafiya Nigeria, focusing on social issues.

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