Did you know that more than EUR 233 billion in Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-linked (GSSS) bonds were issued through Euroclear Bank in the first half of 2026?

By the end of June, EUR 1.84 trillion in GSSS bonds were held under custody at Euroclear Bank. After a stabilising 2025, growth has accelerated once again, signalling renewed market interest in sustainability-labelled products.

Read the full analysis and explore the latest GSSS bond trends >

Key highlights

• Issuance growth returns: GSSS bond issuance through Euroclear Bank increased by 50% in H1 2026 compared with H1 2025. Green bonds were the main driver, growing by 85%, while social and sustainability bond issuance rose by 28% and 24% respectively.
• Growth across all major bond classes: All GSSS bond classes expanded during the period, with sustainability bonds recording the strongest growth at 15%. Green bonds continue to represent more than half of all GSSS bonds held under custody.
• The Eurobond structure remains dominant: More than 50% of GSSS bonds under custody were issued through the international Eurobond structure, highlighting its continued importance for sustainable finance issuance.
• Broader growth across issuer categories: While supranationals remain the largest issuer category, debt agencies saw the strongest growth at 25%, followed by sovereigns and other financial institutions, both growing by around 17%.
• Established and emerging currencies both gain ground: The euro remains the leading currency for GSSS bonds under custody, followed by the US dollar and the British pound. At the same time, currencies such as the Colombian peso and Hong Kong dollar are showing strong growth, while CNY and HKD have entered the top 10 currencies.

Source: Euroclear