Our Services

First Environment has been a leader in green financial assurance, including being the first verification body in North America to receive the Climate Bonds Standard Board’s approval as a Climate Bond verifier. We provide external reviews of green debt offerings to capital market guidelines (Green Bonds Principles) and new global standards. Our experts have conducted dozens of green bond external reviews, including assessments of over $33 billion in project assets spanning mass transit, wastewater treatments, biofuels production, recreational parks, and green infrastructure. In addition, our team participated in the development of current ISO standards on green bonds, green loans, global taxonomy, and third-party verification (ISO 14030 series). This knowledge base forms the foundation of our external reviews, which include both second-party opinions and third-party verifications.

Green bonds are one of the fastest-growing classes of fixed-assets investments. They offer the same features as regular bonds, but proceeds must be used to achieve a recognized environmental benefit (i.e., reduction of greenhouse gas emissions). The International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles are the most widely accepted financial industry guidelines for developing green bonds. In addition, bonds that meet these requirements and help communities advance toward a low-carbon economy are eligible for certification under the Climate Bonds Initiative certification program. First Environment is quickly becoming a leader in verifying green bond offerings to these emerging guidelines and standards.

We are currently working with the Climate Bonds Initiative and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to further standards development and thought leadership for green bonds. As the first U.S.-based approved verifier for the Climate Bond Standards 2.0, First Environment is qualified to assess the “readiness” of a green bond offering to meet the requirements of the newly released standard. Once a green bond has been issued, First Environment verifies the annual report, resulting in certification by the Climate Bonds Initiative (assuming the bond meets all necessary requirements) and increased investor confidence.

In the area of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consulting, First Environment provides ESG data visualization, climate action planning, and ESG strategy development. We have experience assessing ESG data and developing dashboards that summarize physical and financial climate-related risks as well as social and economic information. We help organizations navigate and develop strategies to address climate disclosure and environmental justice based on emerging state and federal guidance.