This month includes news from BVPASA, CSE, HKEX, NSE, SGX and more. Monthly news highlights are compiled by the SSE to give an overview of the capital markets' sustainability news from that month. You can subscribe to our monthly news highlights by clicking here.   SSE INITIATIVE NEWS & EVENTS  UN SSE welcomes Paraguay stock exchange — BVPASA 05 January 2020 The Paraguay stock exchange — Bolsa de Valores y Productos de Asunción (BVPASA) — has solidified its commitment to transparency and sustainability by becoming a member of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative. SSE addresses sustainable seafood meeting 9 December 2020 SSE participated in the Sustainable Seafood Sprint organized by the UN Global Compact on 2 December. Finance has a key role to play in driving the sustainable development of the seafood industry, both through unlocking capital towards sustainable projects, as well as acting as “gatekeepers” to redirect existing investments towards sustainability. Q4 2020 SSE Quarterly Webinar: a conversation with the “G5” + IFAC 15 December 2020 The Q4 2020 Webinar focused on the coordination, convergence, and alignment of ESG reporting standards by talking about the efforts of the “G5” group (CDP, CDSB, GRI, IIRC and SASB), the organizations establishing sustainability standards and frameworks, plus IFAC, the global association for the accountancy profession. Myanmar: Training Workshop on Disclosure and Transparency 17 December 2020 The webinar, organized jointly by the International Finance Corporation and the SSE provided assistance to companies in East Asia and the Pacific on reporting better to investors and other key stakeholders. SSE co-hosts China SIF event on Environmental Risk Management and Climate Reporting 04 December 2020 This webinar, co-hosted by the SSE, the China SIF and the IFC, brought together experts to address the latest developments in environmental risk management, climate disclosure as well as impact creation and management. Indonesia: Training Workshop on Disclosure and Transparency 02 December 2020 This webinar, organized jointly by the International Finance Corporation and UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (UN SSE) aimed to help companies in East Asia and the Pacific understand how to report better to investors and other key stakeholders.   STOCK EXCHANGE NEWS Exchange in Focus: LuxSE marks 10 years of IFC Green Bond issuances 14 December 2020 In a virtual Ring the Bell ceremony, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) marked the 10th anniversary of IFC’s Green Bond Program. UN Global Compact Network Poland and the Warsaw Stock Exchange have signed a Memorandum of Understanding 17 December 2020 UN Global Compact Network Poland (GCNP) and the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in support of sustainable development financing tools. SGX unveils S$20 million sustainability plan 15 December 2020 Singapore Exchange (SGX) said it is strengthening its sustainability capabilities and initiatives with a S$20 million (US$15 million) investment plan. HKEX published the review of corporate governance practices 11 December 2020 The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited published the findings of its latest review of issuers’ corporate governance practices and market practitioners’ insights entitled “Making inroads into good Corporate Governance and ESG management”. CSE recognized as an Honouree in the National Category at ISAR Honours 2020 05 November 2020 The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) was recognized as an honouree in the national category at the recently held International Standards of Accounting and Reporting awards (ISAR) 2020. NSE partners PRI on responsible investment 30 November 2020 The Nigerian Stock Exchange will collaborate with the Principles for Responsible Investment to host a webinar on responsible investing and Economic, Social, and Governance integration.   REGULATOR AND STANDARD SETTER NEWS Japan FSA establishes Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance 25 December 2020 In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, creating a virtuous cycle between the economy and the environment is an agenda which should be worked on with a whole of government approach. Japanese companies have advanced technologies and potential contributing to decarbonisation. ICMA handbook to aid climate transition in debt capital markets 21 December 2020 The International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) has launched a Climate Transition Finance Handbook, designed to support those raising funds on the debt capital markets for climate transition-related purposes. United Kingdom: Proposals to enhance climate-related disclosures by listed issuers and clarification of existing disclosure obligations 21 December 2020 In this Policy Statement (PS) is summarised the feedback to the consultation proposals in CP20/3 and confirm the final policy position. The PS also contains the final rules and guidance as well as the final Technical Note. SASB’s ESG Integration Insights – 2020 Edition 01 December 2020 SASB’s ESG Integration Insights series provides practical examples of institutional investors using SASB Standards to systematically and rigorously integrate ESG into their investment processes. United Kingdom FCA focus on Environmental Social Governance in product design and disclosure 07 December 2020 The Director of Strategy at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Richard Monks, spoked on the increasing appetite for Environmental Social Governance (ESG) focused financial products and building trust in sustainable investments. Global Standard Setters Coalescing Around Sustainability Standards 04 December 2020 Notable progress is being made toward establishing global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure standards as organizations around the world are coalescing to achieve this objective.   ESG INDICES AND PRODUCTS Intercontinental Exchange Launches 10 New MSCI® Index Futures 14 December 2020 Intercontinental Exchange Inc., a leading operator of global exchanges and clearing houses and provider of mortgage technology, data and listings services, today announced the launch of futures on an additional 10 MSCI Indices. Vaccine bond sales to soar to fund COVID-19 shots for poor countries 22 December 2020 Socially conscious bond investors will be targeted in a coming wave of vaccine bond deals that will seek to provide billions of dollars for the speedy rollout of COVID-19 shots for developing countries. Supporting SMEs in their journey towards building a sustainable business 04 January 2020 OCBC's unique Sustainable Financing Framework is designed to help small companies expand their green footprints. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must be part of the conversation regarding sustainability. Women’s Livelihood Bond Helps Women In Asia Pacific Struggling Amid The Pandemic 22 December 2020 Building on the track record of its previous two Women’s Livelihood Bonds, social impact finance pioneer Impact Investment Exchange recently announced its latest in the series, aimed at helping underserved women and women entrepreneurs in the Asia Pacific region recover from the pandemic. Global green bond market seen hitting 1 trillion euros in 2021 21 December 2020 The Hague-based NN Investment Partners estimates that the global green bond market will grow to 1 trillion euros (US$1.22 trillion) in 2021. Driving the surge in the market is the EU Taxonomy and EU Green Bond Standard, which stems from the European Union’s Sustainable Action Plan to finance sustainable economic growth. Amundi targets ESG companies in Germany with new DAX ESG ETF 09 December 2020 The Amundi DAX 50 ESG UCITS ETF is composed of the 50 largest German companies with strong sustainable profiles. LuxSE and Solactive Launch New Green Bond Impact Index 30 November 2020 The Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) and index engineering company Solactive announced the launch of the Solactive LGX Green Bond Impact Index. The new index is composed of a selection of green bonds listed on LuxSE and displayed on the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX), LuxSE’s platform for sustainable securities. New Green And Social Bonds Will Fund Affordable Housing, Climate Resiliency Projects In Boston 03 December 2020 According to a study published by National Tax Journal, Boston is the municipality best prepared for the economic impact of coronavirus. Canada’s ESG Market Gains Ground as Toronto Saves on Debt Costs 04 December 2020 Canada’s green bond market is gaining traction with the City of Toronto the latest borrower to lock in cheaper financing than would have been possible through a conventional debt sale.   MANAGEMENT NEWS Julie Becker appointed CEO of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange 08 December 2020 The Board of Directors of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) has appointed Julie Becker as LuxSE’s next CEO and Chair of its Executive Committee. Julie Becker will officially take over the reins of the exchange as of 21 April 2021, the date of the next General Assembly, when Robert Scharfe, the current CEO, will step down after 9 years at the helm of the exchange.