ING: SUSTAINABLE FINANCE IS BOUNCING BACK AFTER 2024 DECLINE
ING reports that global sustainable debt issuance is recovering toward full growth after previous dips in 2023 and 2024, with full-year 2026 predictions reaching US $ 1.6tn( up from US $ 1.5tn in 2025). The first half of 2026 maintained issuance in the US $ 800bn – 900bn range, driven by corporate decarbonisation commitments, AI demand and Middle East geopolitical tensions.
Regional performance varies significantly:
EMEA leads global growth, driven by public sector issuance( surging 50 % year-over-year to US $ 245bn in H1) and financial institutions( up 36 %).
US issuance dropped roughly 40 % in H1 compared to 2024 and 2025 due to policy uncertainty, though renewable energy, data centres and infrastructure remain primary catalysts.
APAC experienced a minor decline in H1 following a decline in financial institution activity in 2025, but total issuance remains steady long-term as entities target decarbonisation goals. financechief. com 19