> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theglobalbanker.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Handelsbanken Launches Updated 2025 Green Bond Framework Covering Eight Categories with Sustainalytics' Top Rating
- URL: https://www.theglobalbanker.com/handelsbanken-2025-green-bond-framework-eight-categories-sustainalytics-strong/
- Published: 2025-08-07T12:38:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-19T23:25:32.000Z
- Description: Handelsbanken's updated 2025 Green Bond Framework spans eight environmental categories and received Morningstar Sustainalytics' highest 'Strong Contribution' rating, aligned with ICMA GBP 2025.
- Author: TGB Editorial Team
- Tags: ESG, Europe, #archive

Handelsbanken published its updated 2025 Green Bond Framework on 7 August 2025, an update of the Swedish bank's previous framework dated August 2022, aligning the document with the International Capital Market Association's Green Bond Principles 2025 and receiving an overall Sustainability Contribution assessment of 'Strong' from Morningstar Sustainalytics — the highest rating available under that firm's second-party opinion methodology — according to the Sustainalytics assessment published alongside the framework on its website.

The updated framework covers eight use-of-proceeds categories: Green Buildings, Environmentally Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources and Land Use, Clean Transportation, Climate Change Adaptation, Energy Efficiency, Pollution Prevention and Control, Renewable Energy, and Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management. 

#### NATURE, HYDROGEN AND TRANSPORT CRITERIA

Eligible activities in the 2025 framework include sustainable forestry, biodiversity conservation, and regenerative agriculture within the Environmentally Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources and Land Use category. Regenerative agriculture is the new element in this category.

The framework also covers green hydrogen used in low-carbon iron and steel production. Within the Clean Transportation category, the framework covers zero-emission vehicles and related infrastructure, as well as bi-mode trains and personal mobility.

Climate change adaptation was already an eligible category in Handelsbanken's 2022 framework.

#### GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE

The framework applies to green bond proceeds financing projects primarily located in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The bank operates a decentralised branch-led model and its loan book is concentrated in residential mortgages and property lending in these markets.

Handelsbanken publishes an annual Green Bond Impact Report detailing the allocation of proceeds and the environmental outcomes associated with financed projects. The 'Strong' rating reflects Sustainalytics' view of the expected environmental contribution of the use of proceeds, and Sustainalytics separately assessed the framework as aligned with the Green Bond Principles 2025 across use of proceeds, project evaluation, management of proceeds and reporting, in Sustainalytics' opinion.