EBRD invests €10 million in Romania’s first sustainability-linked bond: Car leasing and rental firm Autonom is raising finance for environmentally friendly growth By 2025, the company plans to cut operating fleet’s carbon emissions by 25 per cent The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is investing €10 million in a €48 million sustainability-linked bond issued by Autonom, a Romanian car leasing and rental company. This is Romania’s first sustainability-linked bond and the debut issuance under Autonom’s five-year €250 million corporate bond programme. Autonom’s services include car leasing, fleet management and short-term rental of vehicles. The company is raising finance to pursue environmentally friendly growth. It aims to expand the car fleet to meet increased demand from local business, while reducing its carbon footprint. In line with its sustainability strategy, by 2025, the company plans to cut the operating fleet’s carbon emissions by 25 per cent, and by 51 per cent by 2030. Mark Davis, EBRD Regional Director for Romania and Bulgaria, said: “Autonom’s sustainability-linked bond is a milestone for Romania as the first instrument of this type issued locally. By launching this programme, which underpins Autonom’s ambitious sustainability strategy, the company signals its commitment to significantly reducing its carbon footprint, which is consistent with decarbonisation objectives of European Union countries. We are proud to support Autonom in its sustainability journey.” Marius and Dan Stefan, the co-founders of Autonom, commented: "We believe that the future belongs to companies with valuable, transparent, and responsible business models. These criteria will become a benchmark for all and we believe that the Romanian capital markets will provide extraordinary opportunities for local companies that care about their impact in the society. We appreciate the thoughtful advice, the passion for excellence and the strong commitment of the EBRD. We are grateful for the Bank’s trust, dedication and support for our ambitious vision.” Founded in 2006 in Piatra Neamt by entrepreneurs Marius Stefan and Dan Stefan, Autonom has more than 500 employees and operates a fleet of over 9,000 cars. It is a member of the EBRD’s Blue Ribbon programme, which delivers tailor-made financing and sector-specific advice – covering operational, management and financial advisory – to high-growth small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the course of five years. The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Romania and has invested €9.3 billion through 477 projects in the country to date, with 77 per cent of that in the private sector.
If you’re searching for a hidden gem in Europe, Romania is calling your name. Tucked between the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea, this country is an untouched marvel, combining natural beauty, rich history, and endless opportunities for entrepreneurs and retirees alike. Romania offers a unique blend of modern life and ancient charm, making it […]
Let’s talk about the lack of connection with our body and how this is closely tied to burnout, plus, what to do about it. So often throughout the day, we live almost entirely in our minds. We’re focused either on what we have to do at the moment—tasks that increasingly demand mental effort over physical […]
Six men and one woman from Romania have been accused of recruiting dozens of children and adults from foster care centers, whom they then transported to Hungary, where they turned them into slaves, forcing them to work under inhumane conditions. The accused are from the localities of Ozun and Chilieni, Covasna County, Romania, and allegedly […]
The Museum of Collectivization, the first in Romania dedicated to the forced collectivization period of the communist era, is set to open a new wing, Corp B, funded through the EU-backed National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN). With the new building, the museum located in Tămășeni, […]
Romania’s “Madrigal – Marin Constantin” National Chamber Choir, conducted by Anna Ungureanu, will be in Luxembourg and Belgium, as part of the “Bridges Across Europe/Punți peste Europa” European tour, where it will perform five extraordinary concerts. The performances will take place between November 20 and 25, with the help of the Ministry of Culture, the Romanian Embassy […]
The European Development Bank approved a EUR 140 million loan for Romania’s “Cultural Foundations” project, aimed at preserving historical monuments and constructing cultural buildings in the country. The project targets 14 investment objectives of national and European relevance, administered by public institutions under the Ministry of Culture, including the Romanian Athenaeum, the Romanian National Operas […]
