GPE publishes sustainable finance framework

Great Portland Estates has published a sustainable finance framework to help it raise more ESG-linked funds. The publication of the framework, which will be used for future debt issues, follows GPE’s £450m ESG-linked revolving credit facility in January 2020. The facility was the first of its kind issued by a UK REIT. The framework will provide a context for GPE to potentially issue debt instruments to finance or refinance projects that have a positive environmental or social impact, while supporting the group’s sustainability strategy and wider business strategy. NatWest Markets acted as sustainability structuring adviser. The framework can be found on the investor section of the GPE website. Sustainability and social impact director Janine Cole said the framework would build on the foundations laid by GPE’s Roadmap to Net Zero and its 2020 sustainability statement of intent – The Time is Now. “The framework marks the next step in our continuing journey to integrate sustainability across all aspects of our business,” she said. Corporate finance director Martin Leighton added: “We look forward to further accessing the sustainable debt finance market in the years to come.” To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews