An Inconvenient Cost: The Effects of Climate Change on Municipal Bonds

Marcus Painter

2018 | Academic | Climate, Fixed Income

Counties more likely to be affected by climate change pay more in underwriting fees and initial yields to issue long-term municipal bonds compared to counties unlikely to be affected by climate change. This difference disappears when comparing short-term municipal bonds, implying the market prices climate change risks for long-term securities only. Higher issuance costs for climate risk counties are driven by bonds with lower credit ratings.