Orange successfully launched and priced a Sustainability Bond issue for a total amount of EUR 500 million to finance projects that fully reflect the Group’s ambitions in both the green and social fields. As of today, Orange has raised EUR 1bn of Sustainability Bonds in total, following the inaugural EUR 500m transaction conducted in 2020.

As part of its strategic plan “Engage 2025”, the Group has undertaken commitments towards digital inclusion, social inclusion, and the fight against climate change. More specifically, Orange intends to allocate a c.50% of the funds raised into digital and social inclusion projects and c.50% of the funds to energy efficiency and circular economy projects.

The bond issue consists of a total nominal of EUR 500 million, with a maturity of 10 years and an annual coupon of 2.375%. This issue, which was more than 5 times oversubscribed, was met with great interest from French and international ESG investors, allowing Orange to broaden its investor base and continue to proactively manage its funding structure.

See below for the bond characteristics:

The proceeds of the Bonds will be managed according to Orange’s Sustainability Financing Framework (September 2020) (Orange Sustainability Financing Framework – 2020 09) which highlights the Group’s intention to be an active player of sustainable finance and its broader commitment to mobilise all of its stakeholders around this objective. The Framework is aligned with ICMA’s 2018 Green Bond Principles (GBP), 2020 Social Bond Principles (SBP) and 2018 Sustainability Bond Guidelines (SBG).  It also received a Second Party Opinion from Vigeo Eiris, a leading ESG rating agency, who delivered its highest level of assurance on Orange’s commitments and on the contribution of the contemplated bonds to sustainability. The projects selected and the allocation process will be overseen by Orange’s Sustainability Financing Committee. Allocation of the proceeds will be annually audited and yearly update on the impacts of investments until full allocation of the proceeds will be provided to investors. The documentation related to this bond issuance is available on our website, under the “Debt and Rating” section.

See related article: Georgia Power issues landmark Equality Progress Sustainability Bond

Barclays and Natixis are acting as Global Coordinators.Goldman Sachs, HSBC, La Banque Postale, RBC are acting as Active Bookrunners.

Source: Orange