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ECB could do something about it versus companies in bond portfolio in climate fight

The European Reserve Bank stated on Tuesday it prepares to set emission reduction targets for its huge business bond portfolio and might even sell some assets if it fails to satisfy its targets.

The ECB holds about 350 billion euros ($ 376 billion) worth of corporate financial obligation, purchased as part of a huge stimulus scheme over the past years, and has actually been pushing companies included in this vast portfolio to end up being greener.

It slanted re-investments in its now mothballed Asset Purchase Programme (APP) and Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP) towards greener issuers.

But fresh purchases have long been stopped and even the last of the re-investments stop at the end of this year.

This is forcing the ECB, which is also pressing banks to reveal more of their climate-related risk, to discover a brand-new tool to motivate corporate participation.

Interim emission reduction targets will be set for the corporate portfolios in the APP and PEPP, the ECB stated, including that EU guidelines will be used as assistance in setting objectives.

If discrepancies from the wanted trajectory are recognized, remedial actions will be assessed, within our mandate, on a. case-by-case basis, the ECB included.

The strategy was authorized by policymakers recently but they did. not set a timeframe for the procedure and a fresh choice will be. required before this works.

The ECB added that the climate footprint of the portfolio is. largely outside its control and depended upon individual firms'. efficiency, market conditions and bond issuance patterns.

This is why the Governing Council would regularly evaluate the. portfolio's performance and the required action, it stated.

The central bank did not offer any detail on what specific. action it may take or whether such decisions would be made. public, however the ECB's usual practice would normally consist of. outright divestment amongst its choices.

The ECB states its business bond portfolio is diminishing. rapidly as financial obligation expires and it might fall by about 40 billion. euros in the next year.

(source: Reuters)