SSAB published its first Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework in 2021. Linking sustainability targets to our financing has strengthened sustainability integration across the organization and within our relationships with investors and other stakeholders. We updated the Green and Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework in June 2024 and aspire to continue the discussion with investors and other participants on our sustainability commitments, work and in a dedicated and frequent manner.
By creating a combined framework, SSAB will be able to fund investments in Eligible Projects and Assets as well as investments to increase its sustainability performance, defined in material and ambitious sustainability objectives through Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs). SSAB may under this Framework issue securities, including bonds, hybrid bonds, bank loans and revolving credit facilities, Schuldscheins and commercial paper with a green or sustainability-linked element.
In order to ensure that all Eligible Green Projects and Assets provide environmental benefits, they must fall into and comply with at least one of the Eligibility criteria set out in the following Eligible Green Categories:
The Green Finance Framework has been developed in accordance with both the Green Bond Principles (GBP) 2021 (including the June 2022 Appendix I), as well as the APLMA, LMA and the LSTA Green Loan Principles (GLP) 2023. The Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework has been developed in alignment to the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles (SLBP), established by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) in June 2023, as well as the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles (SLLP) established in February 2023 by APLMA, LMA and the LSTA.
In accordance with these principles, SSAB will provide an annual update covering information on all issued Green and Sustainability-Linked Financial debt instruments, in a Green and Sustainability-Linked Finance Report.