Gillian Charles-Gollop, Executive Director, head of Corporate Banking and Sustainable Finance at CIBC Caribbean, emphasized the pivotal role of green and sustainable bonds in addressing environmental and social challenges while unlocking new investment opportunities.

She was speaking as a panellist at the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) 20th Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference 2025 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, January 21-23.

The panel discussion was titled “Green Bond Market: The Way to Finance Sustainable Development & Launch of the Green Bond Market.” It also included Natacha Marzolf, Country Representative in Jamaica for the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), and Kishan Khoday, Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Country Office in Jamaica.

In her remarks, Charles-Gollop emphasized the pivotal role of green and sustainable bonds in addressing environmental and social challenges while unlocking new investment opportunities. She noted, “Green and sustainable bonds provide a mechanism to channel much-needed capital into sustainable projects, driving economic growth and promoting environmental stewardship. CIBC Caribbean is committed to supporting our clients and partners in structuring innovative financing solutions that align with global sustainability goals, including Jamaica’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Charles-Gollop highlighted case studies demonstrating CIBC’s global experience in sustainable finance, including transactions with public and private sectors globally. “CIBC has supported transformative initiatives such as the Government of Canada’s $4 billion social bond and private placements for Caribbean Utilities in the Cayman Islands of which $50 million were labelled as a Green Issue under their Green Framework supported by the CIBC Sustainable Finance team. Notably, our collaboration with multilateral agencies like the IDB for the Government of Barbados on their Debt for Climate Swap in 2024 and the Debt to Nature Swap in 2022 exemplifies how partnerships can drive impactful change. These initiatives supported marine conservation, reclaimed wastewater for groundwater replenishment, and sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions like Barbados.”

Natacha Marzolf highlighted the IDB’s commitment to supporting countries in the region with innovative financing tools, stating, “Green bonds are an essential part of the financing ecosystem, enabling both governments and private entities to address climate adaptation and mitigation. The IDB is proud to collaborate on frameworks that foster transparency and attract global investors to the region.”

Kishan Khoday of the UNDP underscored the importance of integrating sustainability into financial systems, adding, “Green bonds represent a key pathway for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By leveraging private capital, we can accelerate climate action and sustainable development in ways that leave no one behind.”

The panel discussion provided insights into: The potential of the green bond market to fund renewable energy, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure projects in the region; strategies to attract investors and foster confidence in green financial instruments and collaborative efforts needed to align regulatory frameworks and market practices with international standards.

During the session, the official launch of the Green Bond Market was also announced, signalling a transformative milestone for sustainable finance in the Caribbean. The initiative aims to mobilize private capital to support projects that mitigate climate change and enhance sustainable development across the region.

Charles-Gollop’s participation reinforced CIBC Caribbean’s sponsorship and dedication to fostering sustainable economic growth through innovative financial solutions. Her contributions resonated with the conference’s theme of advancing regional markets and underscored the importance of private sector involvement in achieving sustainable development objectives.

The event, a landmark in the financial industry’s calendar, brought together thought leaders and experts to explore opportunities for advancing regional capital markets.