Sustainable Finance

SDG10 icon

International Recognition in Global Sustainable Finance Awards

Our pioneering sustainability-linked loan (SLL) signed by the University in 2023 has been honored by Environmental Finance as part of its international Sustainable Debt Awards 2024.

The University won 'Sustainability-linked loan of the year - other' for what was praised by judges as a unique and exciting deal with a broad range of impact areas. It is the second Environmental Finance award for the University, after it won Sustainability Bond of the Year in 2019 for its $250-million dual tranche transaction in 2018.   Learn more ...

Sustainable Financing Framework

During 2018 Macquarie University developed its Sustainability Financing Framework, anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.

The move towards sustainability financing has been part of the University’s overall commitment to embed environmental and social considerations in processes and practices across our core activity areas.

The  Sustainability Financing Framework was developed to govern how Macquarie University will enter into future Sustainability Financing Transactions, with proceeds earmarked to finance projects  that deliver positive environmental and social outcomes. Through the Framework, the University aims to fund eligible social and green projects in line with the ICMA Sustainability Bond Guidelines and APLMA Green Loan Principles.

Responsible Investment Management

Our Macquarie University Investment and Treasury Risk Management Policy sees the University position itself as a responsible investor, believing companies or assets will not thrive over the long term if they ignore environmental issues, social issues, corporate governance issues and ethical issues. Investments are made in line with the University’s Modern Slavery statement.

Macquarie University has developed an award-winning Sustainability Financing Framework to enter into sustainability financing transactions in the form of Sustainability Bonds to finance campus development that delivers positive environmental and social outcomes.

The Sustainability Financing Framework is supported by a second party opinion provided by Sustainalytics.

Annual Reports:

In 2023, the University reached a new sustainability milestone with the launch of a refinancing of $450M of bank facilities by establishing a five-year Sustainability-Linked Loan Framework.

Sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) incentivise sustainability performance by linking interest margins to pre-agreed social and environmental key performance indicators (KPIs). We have committed to an ambitious six KPIs, rather than the typical three, and will invest basis point savings into student scholarships.

Our KPIs are intentionally broad by design. The aim is to challenge existing parameters, view this opportunity from a different perspective, and hopefully inspire other organisations to assess their environments and embrace innovation.

Details are available in the Sustainability-Linked Loan Framework.