Building stock accounts for approximately 30%
of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting decarbonisation of housing
through sustainable finance is an important step in scaling up the transition
towards a low carbon economy. BNP Paribas has been a pioneer in helping housing associations to align their financing needs with sustainability objectives, and
is now extending the approach to decarbonising the sector, with a new £50mn
sustainability-linked loan for MTVH.
“MTVH has demonstrated that funding structures, commercial strategy and the demands of the climate crisis need not be at odds.”
Anne Marie Verstraeten, UK Country Head
The
three-year revolving credit facility is believed to be the first Risk Free Rate
(RFR) sustainability-linked loan in the sector, whereby the interest margin is
tied to MTVH achieving environmental targets of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions linked to energy consumption from both its offices and transport, as
well as its residential portfolio.
MTVH’s sustainability linked loan supports
their progressive decarbonisation strategy. To date this has included
implementing measures to improve energy efficiency through new technologies,
aligning supplier environmental targets to a sustainable procurement policy and
operational climate footprint monitoring. The housing association is also
at the forefront of measuring its environmental footprint, and has a
progressive carbon emissions reduction strategy that discloses both Scope 1
(direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) carbon emissions.
“We’re committed to
supporting the decarbonisation of social housing in the UK, and this innovative
loan with BNP Paribas is one of the ways in which we’re playing our part. By
meeting sustainability targets to help fund our business we can cut the cost of
our debt, further build our financial strength and free up more funds to
achieve our ambition of providing more affordable homes and supporting our
residents and customers to live well,” says Donald McKenzie,
Director of Corporate Finance at MTVH.
“MTVH has demonstrated that funding
structures, commercial strategy and the demands of the climate crisis need not
be at odds. As an active member of the Coalition for the Energy Efficiency of
Buildings, BNP Paribas knows that decarbonising the built environment is
essential for achieving net zero in the UK. In MTVH we found a partner whose
understanding matches our own,” says Anne Marie Verstraeten, BNP Paribas UK Country Head.
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BNP Paribas innovating on sustainable finance in the housing sector BNP Paribas has been leading on efforts to embed social impact into finance through SLLs for Housing associations and education leaders, and has supported various innovative financings including:
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