Nuveen, a US-based global asset manager with over US$1 trillion in AuM, has made an anchor investment in the Barbados Blue Bond, which channels proceeds to projects which support local tourism and fishing industries through sustainable ocean management practices. The bond, issued by The Nature Conservancy and Inter-American Development Bank, will see US$50 million spent over the next 15 years to assist in the conservation of at least 30% of Barbados’ marine space. Through this investment, Nuveen now has access to impact data provided to the Marine Spatial Plan Steering Committee – a body consisting of The Nature Conservancy, government officials, and key local stakeholders – which monitors the progress of key capital allocation and conservation milestones. Stephen M, Liberatore, CFA, Head of ESG/Impact – Global Fixed Income at Nuveen, said: “We’ve seen the benefits that blended finance can have on the sustainable development of a blue economy and believe that Barbados represents the next opportunity to highlight the critical linkage of a country’s environment with its’ economy.”
