Global capital continues to flow into climate aligned assets even as political support for clean energy weakens in parts of the United States and Europe. New data shows that green bond and loan issuance has climbed to an all time high this year, driven less by regulation and more by surging electricity demand linked to artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, cooling needs, and electrification. The shift suggests that green finance is increasingly being viewed as core energy infrastructure rather than a niche ESG category. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, global issuance of green bonds and loans has reached $947 billion so far this year. This comes at a time when renewable energy equity benchmarks are moving toward their first annual gains since 2020, outperforming the S&P 500. Expectations of nearly 4 percent growth in global electricity demand are reinforcing the investment case for renewables, grids, and energy storage, even as policy signals remain mixed.

Capital Flows Hold Firm Despite Policy Headwinds

The strength of green finance activity stands in contrast to the current policy environment. In the United States, President Donald Trump has openly backed fossil fuels while dismantling clean energy subsidies and legislation. Europe has also softened parts of its environmental rulebook amid concerns over economic growth and industrial competitiveness. Despite this backdrop, investors appear increasingly focused on fundamentals. Rising power demand from AI driven data centres, broader electrification of industry and transport, and the need for grid upgrades are creating long term revenue visibility. These factors are encouraging investors to treat green assets as essential components of modern energy systems rather than policy dependent trades. Market analysts note that this demand driven narrative is reshaping how climate investments are positioned within portfolios, with a stronger emphasis on cash flow stability and infrastructure like characteristics.

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Asia Pacific Drives the Expansion

Asia Pacific has emerged as the dominant engine of green debt growth. Companies and government linked issuers in the region raised $261 billion this year, representing an increase of roughly 20 percent compared with the previous year. China led the surge, recording a record $138 billion in green bond issuance. The activity was driven primarily by the country’s largest lenders and supported by China’s debut sovereign green bond issued in London, a move seen as broadening access to international capital markets. India has also played a growing role, backing a steady pipeline of renewable energy projects and public listings that continue to attract both domestic and global investors. The pricing advantage associated with green bonds has been most visible in the region. Data from BloombergNEF shows that some Asia Pacific issuers secured borrowing cost discounts of more than 14 basis points in November by issuing under a green label, reflecting strong investor demand.

Banks and Equity Markets Reinforce the Trend

Major financial institutions remain central to the expansion of green debt markets. BNP Paribas SA and Credit Agricole SA ranked among the leading global underwriters of green bonds this year, underscoring the role of large banks in scaling climate finance. Equity markets have mirrored this momentum. Clean energy indexes tracked by S&P Dow Jones Indices and WilderShares are up approximately 45 percent and 60 percent respectively this year, although both remain below their 2021 highs. In the United States, solar and battery storage companies such as SolarEdge Technologies Inc. have been among the stronger performers, while wind turbine manufacturers have led gains in China and Germany.

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Selectivity Beneath the Headline Growth

While green bonds have flourished, other segments of sustainable finance have struggled. US green debt issuance declined 7 percent this year to $163 billion, reflecting both policy uncertainty and shifting issuance priorities. Sustainability linked bond sales dropped by about 50 percent amid growing concerns around greenwashing and weak performance incentives. Overall sustainable debt volumes fell by more than 8 percent compared with 2024, indicating that investor appetite is becoming more selective rather than uniformly expansive. This divergence suggests that capital is increasingly discriminating between instruments that offer clear environmental outcomes and revenue visibility and those seen as structurally weaker or reputationally risky.

From ESG Label to Energy Infrastructure

Taken together, the data points to a meaningful evolution in green finance. Rather than being driven primarily by regulation or ethical mandates, today’s green bond market is being pulled by structural energy demand and infrastructure needs. Artificial intelligence, electrification, and grid modernisation are turning clean power into a necessity for economic growth rather than an optional sustainability add on. As policy signals continue to fluctuate, the resilience of green bond issuance suggests that climate aligned capital is becoming anchored to the physical realities of the energy system. For investors, the shift implies that the future of green finance may be less about labels and more about financing the backbone of a rapidly electrifying global economy.

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