Global stock exchanges lead finance industry’s push for sustainability, says trade boss

Stock exchanges around the world are “leading the finance industry in its effort to achieve sustainability”, said the boss of the world stock exchange trade association.

Nandini Sukumar, CEO of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), said that global stock exchanges are fostering “transparency”, promoting “responsible investment practices” and providing “increasingly innovative ESG-related products”.

He added: As an industry, we are playing a pivotal role in advancing the global transition by closing the climate funding gap required to achieve a more sustainable future.”

Sukumar’s comments come as the London-based WFE, whose members include China’s Financial Futures Exchange, Qatar Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, publishes its 10th annual Sustainability Survey.

In total, the WFE represents more than 250 stock exchanges and clearing houses.

Key findings in the survey include that investor interest in ESG products is increasing, prompting exchanges to facilitate the listing, trading, and oversight of these offerings.

Most exchanges (96%) acknowledged investor demand for ESG disclosure, with 45% observing a strong demand.

While 98% of exchanges reported investor interest in ESG products, and 82% of exchanges offered ESG-related products in 2023, with green bonds/sukuks remaining the most popular ESG product.


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Ten exchanges surveyed confirmed the existence of carbon markets within their jurisdiction and among them, four highlighted the presence of both voluntary and compliance and carbon markets in their respective regions.

Regarding the most traded environmental products, seven out of those ten respondents indicated that their platforms facilitated trading carbon offsets through spot markets, followed by platforms for trading carbon allowances and the auction of carbon offsets, both present in four jurisdictions.

Looking forward, the WFE said a key challenge was “ the lack of reliable ESG data and insufficient resources for implementing initiatives”.

The WFE added: “Additionally, regulatory initiatives to combat greenwashing and promote integrity in voluntary carbon markets highlight the need for continued vigilance and collaboration across the industry, so we can expect continued focus on these issues in the near term.”

A report pubished earlier this year revealed that the UK had seen a 48% increase in manufacturing firms setting ESG targets for their businesses.

Circular economyClimate crisisNature and the environmentNet zeroPolicySocial sustainability

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