SHKP Quarterly

The Group signs first sustainability-linked loan of HK$8,650 million 集團簽署首筆 86.5 億港元可持續發展表現掛鈎貸款 The Group signed its first sustainability-linked loan (SLL) facility with oversubscription from eight leading international and local banks, amounting to HK$8,650 million. The four-year club loan, the largest of its kind for real estate sector in Hong Kong, reaffirms the Group’s commitment to sustainability for pursuing long-termgrowth. The credit facility received an overwhelming response from banks, with the loan size having increased significantly from an initial amount of HK$3,000 million to HK$8,650 million, clearly showing the banking community’s strong support for the Group’s sustainability initiatives. The Group has been incorporating elements of green and wellness in its operations to create sustainable value for its stakeholders. Apart from developing a number of certified green commercial landmarks in Hong Kong and major mainland cities, the Group strives for a balance between development and environmental conservation as evidenced by its residential developments. To help combat climate change, the Group has established clear environmental targets. The Group’s dedicated work on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is well recognized by respected organizations and the financial community. The Group has been named one of the top three companies in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index for three consecutive years, and a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Global Index since 2018. Group Chairman and Managing Director Raymond Kwok said: “This credit facility marks another milestone on SHKP’s sustainability journey, giving us new momentum to create long-term value for stakeholders and the community as a whole. It demonstrates the Group’s ongoing efforts on ESG and will reinforce our Building Homes with Heart belief in making the earth and our community a better home for all. The Group is committed to not just meeting the sustainability performance targets but also developing comfortable, green and sustainable communities for cross- generational living, working, and enjoyment.” According to the loan agreement, the Group is entitled to interest savings upon achieving a set of predetermined sustainability ESG targets. These sustainability performance targets include: • Achieving annual reduction in electricity consumption intensity (ECI, measured in units of kWh/m 2 ) • Demonstrating continuous improvements in the S&P Global ESG Scores (1) • Retaining as a constituent member of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index with a designated rating (2) The facility was signed by Sun Hung Kai Properties (Financial Services) Limited, with its parent, Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, providing a guarantee. It has a 30:70 split between a term loan and revolving credit tranches and amaturity of four years. The proceeds will be used for general working capital and to fund ongoing sustainability initiatives. SHKP has the highest credit ratings among property companies in Hong Kong, attaining an A1 and A+ rating with stable outlook from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s respectively. Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, DBS Bank Ltd., The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited collectively act as sustainability advisors of this facility and advise the Group on sustainability performance targets. On top of the three advisors, the facility is also backed by Mizuho Bank, Ltd., MUFG Bank, Ltd., Agricultural Bank of China Limited, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and Hang Seng Bank Limited. 集團最近與八家主要的國際及本地銀行，簽署集團首筆與可 持續發展表現掛鈎的貸款協議；是項四年期俱樂部貸款獲得 超額認講，總貸款額達 86.5 億港元，是香港地產業界中最大 規模的可持續發展表現掛鈎貸款。是項貸款進一步表明集團 致力實現可持續發展，以達至長遠增長。 銀行對是項貸款反應熱烈，貸款金額由原來的 30 億港元 大幅增加至 86.5 億港元，清晰地反映了銀行業界鼎力支持 集團的可持續發展工作。 集團持續將綠色和健康元素融入業務營運當中，務求為持份 者帶來可持續價值。集團在香港和內地主要城市發展了不少 已取得綠色認證的商業地標項目，並力求在項目發展和環境 保育之間取得平衡。為了協助應對氣候變化，集團訂立多個 清晰的環境目標。集團努力在環境、社會及管治（ ESG ）方 面取得進展，表現廣受具有公信力的機構和財經界認同。集 團連續三年在「恒生可持續發展企業指數」中名列前三位； 此外，自 2018 年起，集團持續獲選為「富時社會責任環球指 數」成份股。 集團主席兼董事總經理郭炳聯 表示：「這項貸款為新地的可 持續發展道路確立另一個里程碑，讓我們擁有更多資源，為 持份者以至整個社會帶來長遠價值。貸款展示了集團一直努 力推進可持續發展工作，而且有助我們更堅定地秉持「以心 建家」的信念，讓我們的社區以至世界成為更美好的家園。 集團除了決意達成可持續發展表現目標外，亦會一如以往建 設舒適、綠化和可持續發展的社區，營造鼓勵跨代人士一起 居住、工作和享樂的環境。」 根據貸款協議，當集團達成預先就 ESG 設定的可持續發展 表現目標時，可獲得貸款利率折扣。預設的可持續發展表 現目標包括： • 達成減低電力消耗強度的年度目標（電力消耗強度以 「千瓦時 / 平方米」為單位） • 取得的標普全球 ESG 評分持續上升 (1) • 繼續成為「恒生可持續發展企業指數」成份股，並取 得特定評級 (2) 是項貸款由新鴻基地產（金融服務）有限公司簽署，由母公 司新鴻基地產發展有限公司作擔保。貸款包括三成定期貸款 及七成循環貸款，年期為四年。貸款款項將用作集團日常營 運資金，以及支持現正進行的可持續發展工作。新地是本港 取得最高信貸評級的地產發展商，分別獲穆迪及標準普爾給 予 A1 和 A+ 評級，兩者的評級展望均為穩定。 中國銀行（香港）有限公司、星展銀行及香港上海滙豐銀行 有限公司共同擔任是項貸款的可持續發展顧問，負責就可持 續發展表現目標的相關事宜，向集團提出意見。其餘安排貸 款的銀行包括瑞穗銀行、三菱 UFJ 銀行、中國農業銀行股份 有限公司、三井住友銀行及恒生銀行有限公司。 (1) The S&P Global ESG Scores (formerly known as the SAM ESG Scores; Dow Jones Sustainability Index scores) is an ESG data set that provides company level, dimension level, and criteria level scores based on the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment process, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices. (2) The Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index includes the top 30 Hong Kong-listed companies that perform well on corporate sustainability. Constituent companies of the index are selected by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, an independent and professional assessment body, to ensure the index is objective and reliable. SHKP attained AAA, the highest rating, in both 2020 and 2021. Notes (1) 標普全球 ESG 評分（前稱為 SAM ESG 評分；道瓊斯可持續發展指數評分）是一個 環境、社會和管治資料集，根據標普全球可持續發展評估 （ CSA ）流程提供公司級 別、要素級別和標準級別的評分，為對公司可持續實踐的年度評估。 (2) 恒生可持續發展企業指數包含首 30 家在企業可持續發展方面表現良好的香港上市公 司。成份股公司挑選程序乃由獨立的專業評審機構香港品質保證局進行評審，以達至 客觀及可靠。新地於 2020 年及 2021 年度均獲得最高的 AAA 評級。 備註 Sustainability Vol 102 • Q4 2021 • SHKP Quarterly 30