Barclays launches green investment program as part of net zero ambitions

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Updated 29 September 2021
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Barclays launches green investment program as part of net zero ambitions

  • The bank said both the investment and proceeds would follow its internal green frameworks
  • The green index excludes the stocks of companies with 'adverse traits'

British bank Barclays has launched its inaugural Green Structured Notes Program to both retail and institutional investors.

The bank described the offering as a differentiated green investment opportunity, with the structured note payoff based on a green index. 

The green index excludes the stocks of companies with 'adverse traits', such as having a heavy reliance on thermal coal operations.

The index also targets firms with the lowest carbon emissions per unit of revenue/gross value added, as well as focusing on companies pushing towards a specific goal, such as clean energy or carbon capture.

The bank said both the investment and proceeds would follow its internal green frameworks. It added that these parameters will be verified by an external third party.

C.S. Venkatakrishnan, head of global markets and co-president of BB PLC at Barclays, said: “We continue to see increased client demand for sustainable investment opportunities and today’s launch of [this] program provides clients with a new and innovative opportunity to access the green market.”

Sasha Wiggins, Group Head of Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility, added that Barclays' commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement -  a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted in Paris in 2015 - was part of its wider ambitions to be a net zero bank by 2050. 

"This innovative investment offering to our clients is a new and important part of delivering that commitment in order to help accelerate the global transition to a low carbon economy,” Ms Wiggins said.

The proceeds of the notes are allocated to the financing or refinancing of eligible green activities, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transportation loans and contribute to Barclays Net Zero Ambition.

The bank also wants to provide £100billion of green financing by 2030.


Saudi Maaden reports 156% surge in annual net profit to $2bn on strong commodity prices and record production

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Saudi Maaden reports 156% surge in annual net profit to $2bn on strong commodity prices and record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.