Tata Communications has secured a five-year USD250 million sustainability-linked loan (SLL) from ANZ, DBS Bank and Export Development Canada (EDC). ANZ acted as the Lead Sustainability Coordinator for the loan, while DBS Bank and EDC were the Joint Sustainability Coordinators.
The transaction is the first SLL for Tata Communications under the company’s new SLL framework. Through the framework, a first of its kind in the sector in India, Tata Communications intends to link its funding with key objectives such as carbon emission reduction targets (non-financial covenants) that are core and material for the company’s long-term sustainability performance.
The interest rate margin of the loan will be adjusted up or down in accordance with the progress that Tata Communications will achieve on its carbon emission reduction targets. Such short-term targets, creating a link between the cost of banking facilities and progress achieved on key environmental milestones, are consistent with the company’s longer-term ambition to be Net Zero across its global operations by 2035.
Stella Saris Chow, Head of Sustainable Finance, International, ANZ said: “ANZ is pleased to have played a lead role in Tata Communications’ maiden SLL. We see significant opportunities for other companies to align their financing with their environmental commitments and believe the facility will pave the way for other borrowers in India and across Asia to set robust sustainability performance targets. ANZ has a strong presence in Asia and we are well-positioned to support our clients to reduce emissions and transition to net zero.”
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