MONTREAL, Feb. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WSP Global Inc. (TSX: WSP) ("WSP" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has become the first professional services firm in the Americas to secure sustainability-linked terms for its syndicated credit facility. WSP signed an amendment to its existing credit facility to include financing terms that reduce or increase the borrowing costs on the lending facility as sustainability targets are met or missed.
The amendment introduces an annual pricing adjustment based on the achievement of ambitious targets related to sustainability. With sustainability core to its business strategy, this step reflects WSP's goal to create compelling business value through advancing its vision to have a long-lasting positive impact on society.
"We are proud to be challenging the status quo by formally linking sustainability and financing. By doing so, we are further strengthening our commitment to deliver on the sustainability ambitions outlined in our 2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan. Moreover, we are also reflecting the collective sentiment of our 50,000 employees, for whom sustainability is an increasingly important issue," said Bruno Roy, Chief Financial Officer of WSP.
The amendment applies to a $1,200 USD million syndicated revolving credit facility with terms of up to four years tied to three sustainability performance targets that highlight and measure WSP's continued advancement of its sustainability initiatives:
- Reduction in market-based greenhouse emissions across our global operations from 2018 to 2021;
- Increased percentage of “Green” Revenues (revenues from services having a positive impact on environment) by the end of 2021;
- Increase in the percentage of management positions held by women by the end of 2021.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank Financial and BMO Capital Markets are Joint Bookrunners and Co-Lead Arrangers on the credit facility and BNP Paribas acted as Sole Sustainability Coordinator, working with WSP to integrate the sustainability targets into the credit facility.
ABOUT WSP
As one of the world's leading professional services firms, WSP provides engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. Our experts include engineers, advisors, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. With approximately 50,000 talented people globally, we are uniquely positioned to deliver successful and sustainable projects, wherever our clients need us. wsp.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information regarding WSP contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although WSP believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. WSP's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The complete version of the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements as well as a description of the relevant assumptions and risk factors likely to affect WSP's actual or projected results are included in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and WSP does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless expressly required by applicable securities laws.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Isabelle Adjahi
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications
WSP Global Inc.
Tel: 438-843-7548
isabelle.adjahi@wsp.com