publication, we aim to provide quarterly metrics that offer in- sight into the size and trends within the sustainable finance market. Of course, given the private nature of the loan market, some data gaps are inevitable. TreasuryLog: Despite their greater flexibility, we have recently experienced a shift towards green instead of Sustainability- Linked Loans (SLL). Their financial benefit does not seem to outweigh the effort of preparation and the looming greenwa- shing risk. Can you confirm this trend? Gemma Lawrence-Pardew: We have indeed observed a shift in market dynamics, with green loans gaining increased momen- tum. In fact, they had green loans had a record year in 2024 , and this strong performance has continued into 2025. In Q1 2025 alone, green loans accounted for €41.7 billion in global issuance, representing 40% of total ESG lending and up from 32% a year earlier. By comparison, SLLs contributed €27.7 billion, reflecting a more measured pace of activity. This trend indicates gro- wing interest in instruments with clearly defined use-of-pro- ceeds structures, especially in an environment where transpa- rency and verifiability are in sharp focus. TreasuryLog: Will we continue to see a decline in SLL transactions? Gemma Lawrence-Pardew: The growing prominence of green loans should not be seen as diminishing the importance of SLLs. On the contrary, they have come to play a transformative role in global sustainable finance by shifting the focus from funding specific green projects to incentivising broader impro- vements in corporate sustainability performance. Unlike green loans, which require proceeds to be tied to environmentally focused projects, SLLs are structured around a borrower’s achievement of pre-agreed Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs), typically linked to key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect material ESG outcomes. This flexibility has made SLLs highly appealing across sectors, especially for companies whose sustainability ambitions span operations and strategy rather than discrete green investments. In this way, SLLs help embed sustainability into mainstream finance, offering a mechanism that rewards demonstrated progress rather than intent alone. TreasuryLog: So, their main advantage is structural flexibility? Gemma Lawrence-Pardew: Precisely. SLLs do not restrict the use of proceeds, making them well-suited to general corporate financing and easier to integrate into existing debt structures. Green loans require detailed project-level tracking and re- porting, SLLs focus on company-wide performance outcomes. This makes them particularly valuable for businesses with diver- se operations that may not align neatly with green taxonomies. Moreover, their forward-looking structure, where (typically) financial terms adjust based on sustainability performance, creates a direct economic incentive to deliver ESG improve- ments. So, whilst we are seeing a recalibration in favour of green loans in the current climate, SLLs remain a critical instru- ment in the sustainable finance landscape, especially for busi- nesses committed to long-term, enterprise-wide ESG progress. TreasuryLog: The LMA has refined its sustainability guidance and principles to provide greater clarity for both borrowers and lenders. Gemma Lawrence-Pardew: In March 2025, we introduced up- dates to our Green, Social, and Sustainability-Linked Loan Prin- ciples, along with their accompanying Guidance. These revisi- ons represent a significant step forward in strengthening both the transparency and integrity of the market, while also offering pragmatic flexibility for borrowers and lenders navigating incre- asingly complex sustainability goals. Looking specifically at the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles, one of the most impor- tant changes introduced is the clarification that setting annual SPTs per KPI is not a mandatory requirement, provided there is a strong rationale for why annual targets are not appropriate. TreasuryLog: What made you decide that adjustment was necessary? Gemma Lawrence-Pardew: This adjustment acknowledges that in many cases, particularly those involving substantial operational transformations, infrastructure upgrades, or shifts in business models, meaningful sustainability improvements are unlikely to occur on an annual basis. Instead, the updates allow for longer-term or milestone-based targets, provided the borrower offers a compelling rationale. This added flexibility is especially relevant in industries with complex or capital-inten- sive sustainability transitions, where performance improve- ments are inherently multi-year in nature. The revised Guidance provides greater clarity on how the SLL Principles should be interpreted in practice, aiming to remove ambiguities that have occasionally led to inconsistent application across the market. TreasuryLog: Another market concern was the verification of KPIs. Gemma Lawrence-Pardew: A key development in this regard is the confirmation that “Where information has already been verified as part of a borrower’s (public) annual reporting or regulatory submission, it need not be verified again for the purposes of these SLLP (SLL Principles).” This clarification underscores the importance of encouraging borrowers to leve- rage existing verified information to more efficiently access the financial tools available through SLLs. Collectively, these updates aim to enhance market credibility by ensuring that targets remain robust and verifiable, while also being realistic and aligned to the operational contexts of different borrowers. Importantly, they reflect the maturing nature of the sustain- able finance market, moving towards a more nuanced and balanced approach that upholds integrity without stifling inno- vation or accessibility. TreasuryLog: Are any further refinements in the pipeline? Gemma Lawrence-Pardew: At present, we do not have further immediate refinements to the principles in the pipeline. We are mindful of the need to let revisions embed and avoid intro- ducing ongoing changes that could create uncertainty or com- plicate deal structuring. Instead, we remain focused on main- taining relevance, listening to market feedback, and ensuring that the principles continue to support confidence and credi- bility in sustainable finance. That said, we are actively working on several complementary areas of guidance, including transi- tion finance, the role of pure play companies and, in coming months, how to increase engagement with SMEs. 27