World Bank launches Sustainable Development Bonds for Japanese retail investors

One-third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted every year and this results in US$1 trillion in economic losses per year.

The World Bank and Okasan securities announced the launch of Sustainable Development Bonds issued by the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD). This 3-year bond is denominated in RUB (Amount: RUB 5240 million) designed for Japanese retail investors and will be offered to investors from today.

One-third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted every year and this results in US$1 trillion in economic losses per year. At the same time, more than 800 million people of the world's population are suffering from hunger. Globally, food loss and waste would be the third largest greenhouse gas emitter. The resources needed to produce the food that becomes lost or wasted has a carbon footprint which is eight percent of global emissions annually. This is an issue that must be addressed globally and is outlined by SDG 12.3: to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses by 2030.

Through the sale of bonds such as Sustainable Development Bonds, Okasan Securities will continue to promote environmental, social and governance and socially responsible investing while also contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The World Bank provides support to middle-income countries to address food loss and waste from farm to fork, with investments in infrastructure, access to markets and logistics, as well as waste management. The World Bank is also working to raise people's awareness of the importance of combating food loss and waste which is a critical global issue.