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Investment Attractiveness of Green Bonds: The Impact of Issuer Sector and Region
This paper investigates the investment attractiveness of green bonds by examining the influence of issuer-specific regional and sectoral characteristics on bond yields. Using a cross-sectional dataset of 1,502 green bond issues from 44 countries, sourced from the Cbonds database as of March 2025, the study applies a multivariate OLS regression framework. The analysis incorporates macroeconomic indicators, ESG ratings, credit risk measures, and dummy variables reflecting regional origin, industry affiliation, and sectoral carbon intensity. The results reveal that green bond yields differ significantly depending on (1) the issuer’s region, (2) economic sector, (3) country development level, and (4) the carbon intensity of the issuer’s industry. Specifically, bonds issued in emerging markets and carbon-intensive sectors tend to offer higher yields, reflecting increased risk premiums. These findings support the risk-return paradigm in the context of sustainable finance and underscore the importance of geography and industry in green bond pricing. The study also discusses methodological limitations and proposes directions for future research, including time-series analysis, policy impact evaluation, and broader geographical coverage. Overall, the results provide practical insights for investors, issuers, and regulators aiming to foster a more balanced and efficient green bond market globally.