Rexel successfully completes its first sustainable bond offering
In order to strengthen its commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Rexel is linking its financing conditions to the achievement of its direct and indirect emissions-reduction targets. With the offering of €300M of Sustainability-Linked Notes, the Group constrains itself to respect the path it has set for reducing its GHG emissions, through 2 KPIs:
- 1) 23% reduction in GHG emissions related to the consumption of products sold, per euro of turnover (scope 3) by 2023 compared to 2016.
- 2) 23.7% reduction in GHG emissions related to energy consumption in its operations (scope 1 and 2) by 2023 compared to 2016.
The independent CSR expert Vigeo Eiris rated the relevance and ambition of these objectives as “advanced” in its Second Party Opinion, confirming the high standards of Rexel’s practices. They are in line with Rexel’s climate objectives for 2030 (-45% for the first KPI and -35% for the second) and with the commitments made in the Paris Agreements, which aim to keep the rise in global temperatures below 2°C by 2100.
Rexel has obtained the best interest rate in its history, at 2.125%. It will be increased by 25 basis points as of June 2024 if Rexel has not met the two environmental targets by the end of 2023.
To facilitate their achievement, the Group is committed to developing best practices in terms of environmental responsibility with all the players in its value chain. Rexel assesses the CSR performance of its direct purchases and at the end of 2020 adopted a Responsible Supplier Charter, which will be gradually rolled out to all its suppliers.
Energy management is a major lever in meeting environmental challenges and accelerating the energy transition. This is why Rexel prescribes eco-efficient solutions for its customers and accelerates the promotion of energy efficiency with all its stakeholders.
As a leader in its sector, Rexel aims at acting as a driver, and intends to create a ripple effect in its whole ecosystem.
“The success of this note issuance confirms investor confidence in Rexel’s business model and strategy. ESG is embedded in our strategy, as we demonstrated at our recent Strategic Update presentation, and this bond issue linked to sustainability targets underscores our determination to continuously improve our performance. This operation also constitutes a further step in our efforts to strengthen our balance sheet by extending the maturity of our debt at attractive financial conditions.”
Patrick Berard, CEO of Rexel