Exchange in Focus: TMX Expands Its Resources on ESG Reporting

Exchange in Focus: TMX Expands Its Resources on ESG Reporting

8 June 2021

Last year, TMX introduced several new initiatives to assist issuers with understanding and preparing disclosure of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) information. These included their ESG 101 education hub, the release of a new Primer for Environmental and Social Disclosure, and the addition of a new ESG Disclosure module to their Growth Accelerator education program. Now TMX has further expanded its resources for issuers by entering into a strategic alliance with IHS Markit to endorse their ESG Reporting Repository (the "Repository"). The Repository facilitates the disclosure of issuer ESG information into a variety of frameworks and standards, such as SASB and TCFD, and has extensive distribution channels to disseminate the information to global investors and stakeholders. As part of the agreement with IHS Markit, all TSX and TSXV-listed issuers that agree to the Repository's terms and conditions, may enter their ESG data into the Repository at no cost and benefit from:
  • free access to peer analysis and investor insights
  • a framework converter that helps issuers identify where their reported ESG data aligns (or does not align) with another framework or standard
  • fillable templates that can be downloaded for issuer website disclosure (especially valuable for issuers that have not started their ESG reporting)
  • IHS Markit's extensive distribution channels to disseminate the information to global investors and stakeholders
TMX thinks that issuers, especially small-cap issuers, are likely to be marginalized if they fall behind on ESG disclosure. TMX’s mix of ESG resources can aid in the processes of ESG risk/opportunity assessment and ESG disclosure. TMX's latest initiative lays the groundwork to facilitate broader ESG reporting by issuers, and broader dissemination of their ESG disclosures to a global audience. For the market, the Repository creates comparable raw data for both Canadian and international investors.  

SSE Databases 

The SSE’s research pillar aims to support a better understanding of the key sustainability issues facing stock exchanges and provide decision-ready data and best-practice examples to assist exchange leaders in their sustainability efforts. Research compiled by the SSE initiative is provided free of charge as a public good and is available on the SSE’s website, through publications, and via interactive online databases. SSE Stock Exchange Database To learn more, visit the SSE’s database of stock exchange sustainability activities. Currently, the database has data on 103 stock exchanges and tracks progress on key activities where exchanges are promoting sustainable business and investment practices. It is the largest data set of its kind and the data is freely accessible.   SSE ESG Guidance Database The SSE ESG Guidance Database contains a comprehensive list of all stock exchange ESG guidance documents in the world so that other stock exchanges can learn from their peers. The database is now updated to include an analysis of major ESG reporting instruments referenced in stock exchange guidance documents. To learn more, check our press release about the new database. Securities regulators database SSE has a new interactive Securities Regulators Database to provide examples of how securities regulators are already contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. These examples can be filtered by the ten action areas found in the SSE’s Action Plan for securities regulators which is the central guidance of the SSE publication How securities regulators can support the Sustainable Development Goals. To learn more about SSE work in this area, visit our Securities Regulator workstream on the SSE website.  

About the SSE

​The SSE initiative is a UN Partnership Programme organised by UNCTAD, the UN Global Compact, UNEP FI and the PRI. The SSE’s mission is to provide a global platform for exploring how exchanges, in collaboration with investors, companies (issuers), regulators, policymakers and relevant international organizations, can enhance performance on ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) issues and encourage sustainable investment, including the financing of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The SSE seeks to achieve this mission through an integrated programme of conducting evidence-based policy analysis, facilitating a network and forum for multi-stakeholder consensus-building, and providing technical assistance and advisory services.