What are leading LNG lenders looking for and how long will they continue financing projects?
ERM surveyed ten LNG financing institutions across commercial banks, export credit agencies, and multilateral lenders representing approximately $9 trillion in assets. The findings reveal how environmental and social (E&S) expectations are influencing project bankability, lender participation, and access to capital.
Download the report to learn:
- What leading LNG projects are doing to meet evolving lender expectations
- How long lenders expect to continue financing LNG projects
- Which E&S issues are most likely to impact bankability
- Why social license to operate has become a leading financing concern
- How emissions, biodiversity, and stakeholder expectations are affecting investment decisions
- What developers and EPC contractors can do to improve financing readiness
Why This Matters
LNG financing remains available, but lender expectations are evolving. As financial institutions become more selective, projects that demonstrate strong environmental and social performance, stakeholder engagement, and financing readiness will be better positioned to secure capital. Understanding how lenders evaluate project bankability can help developers and EPC contractors reduce risk, strengthen lender confidence, and improve financing outcomes.
Key Findings
1. The financing window may be narrowing
5 of the 10 lenders indicated they expect to cease LNG financing activity at some point in the future, suggesting project sponsors may face a progressively smaller pool of traditional financing partners.
2. E&S performance can be a deal breaker
6 of the 10 lenders surveyed described environmental and social considerations as highly influential in financing decisions and a potential reason to decline participation.
3. Social license to operate is critical
Community acceptance, stakeholder trust, Indigenous rights considerations, and broader social impacts emerged as some of the most important indicators of project bankability.
4. International standards are setting the benchmark
Lenders increasingly look to frameworks such as the IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, and OECD Common Approaches when assessing LNG projects.
Who Should Read This Report?
LNG Developers
Learn how leading lenders assess project risk, E&S performance, and financing readiness.
EPC Contractors
Understand how financing expectations are influencing project design, execution, and contractor selection.
Lenders & Financial Institutions
Benchmark your organization's thinking against peers across commercial banking, export credit agencies, and multilateral institutions.
Investment Advisors & Project Sponsors
Gain insight into emerging financing trends and future lender expectations.
About the Research
ERM conducted a confidential survey and interviews with active LNG financing organizations including commercial banks, export credit agencies (ECAs), multilateral development banks (MDBs), and international finance institutions (IFIs).
Collectively, participating institutions represent approximately $9 trillion in assets and provide valuable insight into how LNG financing priorities are evolving.