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Sustainable Finance Outlook Highlights

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Core conclusion · Tlines extraction

SEB's Sustainable Finance Outlook discusses EU ETS reform impacts on heavy industry, construction, and real estate, projecting carbon prices of EUR 180-270/t by 2040 that could raise steel and cement costs and affect building margins, while sustainable bond issuance grows 15% YoY to USD 1226bn with electricity sector dominance.

Institution
SEB
Published
09/02/2026
Research topic
EU ETS price · EU ETS · EU ETS impact on industry
Time horizon
by 2040 · Q1 2026 · current · medium-term · short-to-medium term

Key arguments

  • Geopolitical disruption and extreme weather will accelerate the transition to a clean energy system, with more electricity from non-fossil sources.
  • Sustainable bond issuance grew 15% YoY to USD 1226bn despite headwinds, with electricity dominating CBAM sector issuance.
  • Proposed EU ETS changes could lead to carbon prices of EUR 180-270/t by 2040, significantly increasing steel and cement costs.
  • Building costs may rise by up to 3%, but developer margins could fall by 15-40%, driving value chain decarbonization.
  • Upstream built environment sectors lead sustainable bond issuance, while downstream faces low issuance due to ETS impact.

Key numbers

Sustainable bond issuance
USD 1226bn
YoY growth
15%
EU ETS price by 2040
EUR 180-270/t
Steel price increase
50-100%
Cement price increase
80-135%
Building cost increase
up to 3%
Developer margin decline
15-40%

Main risks

  • Higher carbon prices could significantly increase material costs for heavy industry, impacting competitiveness.
  • Building cost increases may reduce demand for new construction, affecting real estate sector.
  • Regulatory changes may not be implemented as proposed, altering expected outcomes.
  • Sustainable bond market growth could be hampered by geopolitical disruptions or policy shifts.

Corresponding source evidence

  1. Under the Commission’s proposal, EU ETS prices could reach EUR 180–270/t by 2040, increasing steel prices by 50–100% and cement by 80–135%. · by 2040
  2. Under the Commission’s proposal, EU ETS prices could reach EUR 180–270/t by 2040, increasing steel prices by 50–100% and cement by 80–135%. · by 2040
  3. Global sustainable bond issuance grew Q1 2026, with USD 503bn in issuance despite significant geopolitical headwinds. · Q1 2026

Conditions / invalidation

  • Under the Commission's proposal
  • If EU ETS prices reach EUR 180–270/t by 2040
  • If airlines achieve effective cost pass-through and secure affordable SAF, margins can be protected.

Context: the conclusion is Tlines' automated extraction, not the institution's wording. Quoted evidence is publisher wording. Scope and date must travel with the conclusion.

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Complete Research
Complete English original

In this issue, we explore the implications of proposed changes to the EU ETS on companies in heavy industry, construction, and real estate.

We will explore how EU carbon price trajectories influence the business case for decarbonization investments, as well as their impact on building costs and balance sheets.

Sustainable Finance Outlook webinar

Lead Scientist and Senior Advisor Gregor Vulturius hosts a discussion with Thomas Thygesen, Head of Strategy Equity Research, Samantha Arpas, Sustainable Finance Specialist, Ola Hansén, Public Affairs Director at Stegra; Bjarne Schieldrup Chief Analyst in Commodities covering energy at SEB; Anna Denell, Chief Sustainability Officer at Vasakronan; and Anders Enebjörk, Sustainability Specialist at NCC on the implications of the proposed changes to the EU ETS on companies in heavy industry, construction, and real estate.

Energy transition update

Geopolitical disruption and extreme weather will accelerate the transition to a clean energy system. We see two drivers: a larger part of energy consumed will be electricity, and a larger share of the electricity will come from non-fossil sources. Over the coming 5-10 years, we expect a sharper decline in fossil energy’s share of the world’s primary energy supply.

Sustainable finance market update

Sustainable bonds reached USD 1226bn resulting in a 15% YOY growth despite geopolitical headwinds. Electricity dominates CBAM sector sustainable bond issuance pointing out a lack of incentives for heavy industry to invest in decarbonization. Upstream built environment sectors lead sustainable bond issuance, while the downstream, most affected by EU ETS, sees low issuance volumes.

Sustainable finance regulatory update

Sustainable bonds reached USD 1226bn resulting in a 15% YOY growth despite geopolitical headwinds. Electricity dominates CBAM sector sustainable bond issuance pointing out a lack of incentives for heavy industry to invest in decarbonization. Upstream built environment sectors lead sustainable bond issuance, while the downstream, most affected by EU ETS, sees low issuance volumes.

EU ETS reform and rising carbon costs in the built environment

Under the Commission’s proposal, EU ETS prices could reach EUR 180–270/t by 2040, increasing steel prices by 50–100% and cement by 80–135%. Building costs may rise by up to 3%, yet developer margins could fall by 15–40%, depending on portfolio mix, incentivising value chain efforts to cut building material emissions and low-carbon alternatives.

Next Gen Finance

Lina Apsheva, a sustainability communications officer at SEB, talks to specialists in the field to help you navigate the sustainable finance market. Lina and her guests discuss recent developments and forecasts for the future, and dive into specific themes within sustainable finance.

Download Sustainable Finance Outlook report

SEB flagship report Sustainable Finance Outlook provides insights and market intelligence for navigating the sustainability transition. The report includes regular updates on energy transition investment, sustainable finance markets and regulations as well as topical research.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Gregor Vulturius, PhD Lead Scientist and Senior Advisor Climate & Sustainable Finance

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AI analysis

AI-generated from the report above · not a translation and not the institution's wording · verify against the official source

How this page was produced

Tlines extracted the conclusion, arguments, numbers and risks above from the report published by SEB on 09/02/2026, then structured them for comparison. The publisher's own wording is reachable through the source link on this page. Last updated 10/17/2026. Methodology · Source policy · AI usage · Request a correction