S&P Global Ratings has launched a new assessment for Amazonia Bonds using its Second Party Opinions (SPOs), aligning with the recently introduced Amazonia Bond Guidelines (ABGs) and international Green and Social Bond Principles. The move aims to strengthen sustainable finance in one of the world’s most ecologically vulnerable regions, the Amazon. 

Thesd guildlines for assessment was developed jointly by the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank and  published in June 2025, revealing clear and strict eligibility criteria for labeling a bond as “Amazonia.” To qualify, 100% of proceeds must fund green or social projects within the Amazon region, with robust environmental and social risk safeguards and post-issuance impact tracking. 

Key requirements under the ABGs include: 

• Full allocation of bond proceeds to Amazon-region green or social projects

• Detailed project selection and risk mitigation protocols

• Post-issuance reporting on measurable ESG impacts 

• Alignment with international green and social finance standards 

A notable example of a green fund that aligns with the requirements of ABGs is the green debenture of R$955 million issued by Concessionária de Saneamento do Amapá S.A, which funds sanitation infrastructure to reduce environmental damages in Amazonia. 

S&P Global confirmed it will verify adherence to the ABGs upon issuer request, reinforcing credibility in sustainable finance transactions. 

The Amazon region, home to 47 million people and the world’s largest Indigenous population, faces increasing pressure from deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Scientists warn that the ecosystem may soon reach an irreversible tipping point. 

As attention turns to the upcoming COP30 in Brazil and post-COP16 biodiversity financing goals, Amazonia Bonds offer a strategic pathway to mobilize private capital for climate and social resilience. However, experts caution that success hinges on the pipeline of scalable, bankable projects across the region. 

S&P Global’s integration of the ABGs into its SPOs marks a broader push toward strengthening ESG accountability and transparency, aligning climate finance with impact-driven outcomes in critical ecosystems. 

Source:  

https://esgnews.com/sp-global-launches-assessment-for-amazonia-bonds-aligned-with-new-sustainability-guidelines/