Financials Market: Climate Risk Reshapes Municipal Credit and Income Opportunities

Municipal bonds are increasingly being issued to fund climate resilience projects, creating income opportunities for investors. Dan Close of Nuveen highlights that state and local governments are issuing debt to harden infrastructure against natural disasters, with about $63 billion in projects underway. Climate-related disaster costs are rising, and proposed federal policy changes may shift more responsibility to local governments. Munis offer tax advantages, with long-dated 5% AA-coupon bonds yielding over 5% at a discount, translating to high tax-equivalent yields. Nuveen identifies municipalities like Miami, New York's Battery Park City, and Chicago as proactive in issuing bonds for climate adaptation. The article discusses specific bond programs and Nuveen funds holding these bonds, offering a perspective on investment opportunities in the municipal market.