This month includes news from ICE, LuxSE, SET, SZSE 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
15 February 2023
The United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Advisory Group on Carbon Markets, launched in November 2022 at COP27, is kicking off the new workstream to support exchanges in their efforts to maximize the climate benefits of carbon markets with its first Advisory Group meeting.
UN SSE welcomes Central Asian Stock Exchange
22 February
The UN Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative welcomes Central Asian Stock Exchange (CASE) from Tajikistan as a new member. CASE has solidified its commitment to transparency and sustainability by becoming a partner exchange of the UN SSE initiative. The newest partner joins a network of now 118 stock exchanges and 13 derivatives exchanges around the world that are committed to promoting sustainable development.
Global free training on TCFD-aligned disclosures: the foundation for upcoming ISSB standards
2 & 3 March 2023
Given high demand for training on the four core pillars of the TCFD, we’re opening our TCFD training sessions to all market participants. On March 2 and March 3, we are offering three time options to join our TCFD 101 and 102 training modules. All participants that join our live sessions and complete a short online feedback survey afterwards will receive a CPD certification with credits towards your professional development.
2023 Ring the Bell for Gender Equality
8 March 2023
In celebration of International Women’s Day (8 March 2023), the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative is pleased to announce the continuation of stock exchanges around the world hosting a bell-ringing ceremony to raise awareness for gender equality. The SSE is working alongside the UN Global Compact, UN Women, International Finance Corporation: IFC and World Federation of Exchanges (the “Global Partners”) for the 8th consecutive year to organise the “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” initiative.
EXCHANGE NEWS
SZSE Release the White Paper on Environmental Information Disclosure by SZSE-Listed Companies
2 February 2023
The report delivered at the 20th National Congress of the CPC noted that respecting, adapting to, and protecting nature is essential for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. To thoroughly carry out the new development philosophy and accelerate the green transition of listed companies in terms of the growth mode, SZSE recently issued the White Paper on Environmental Information Disclosure by SZSE-Listed Companies (the “White Paper”).
In March, LGX Academy from the LuxSE is holding 3 courses on sustainable finance
7-9 March: Fundamentals of Sustainable Finance
14-16 March: Products and Standards
21-23 March: Sustainable Bonds Ecosystem
15 February 2023
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) organizes the annual “SET Sustainability Forum” on Wednesday February 15, a gathering of experts from various sectors to focus on key sustainability or ESG trends affecting business directions, risk management and investment.
16 February 2023
ICE offers customers the most liquid markets to trade futures and options on California Carbon Allowances, California Carbon credits, RGGI Allowances (RGA), California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Credits, and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Across the portfolio, a record 3.64 million contracts traded last year, a 5% increase over 2021, with average daily volume increasing 5.5% to 14,500 contracts.
Bursa Malaysia Signs MoC With MGTC To Enhance Voluntary Carbon Market Ecosystem
20 February 2023
Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or the “Exchange”) and Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (“MGTC”) today signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (“MoC”) to build and promote the voluntary carbon market (“VCM”) ecosystem in Malaysia, following the launch of the Bursa Carbon Exchange (“BCX”) in December 2022.
21 February 2023
Karachi, February 21, 2023: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marking a landmark agreement between the two organisations.The MoU focuses on capacity building and knowledge sharing on financial literacy and inclusion, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), CPEC verticals, investment management, IPOs and social entrepreneurship.
REGULATOR AND STANDARD SETTER NEWS
Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance released Target Setting Protocol Third Edition
7 February 2023
The Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance’s Target-Setting Protocol is a foundational document that created a framework for reporting and delivery on short-term climate targets. Since the launch of the Inaugural Target Setting Protocol, the document – and thus the expectations for members – have become more comprehensive and robust (see also the Target Setting Protocol Second Edition). The third version reflects the latest science, expands methodological coverage across asset classes, provides further details for some of the Alliance’s four target types, and adds chapters on carbon removals and just transition.
ISDA’s newest paper: Regulatory Framework for Sustainability-linked Derivatives: Singapore Analysis
7 February 2023
Singapore is taking a number of steps to achieve its ambition of net-zero carbon emissions by approximately 2050, including the progressive raising of carbon taxes from 2024 and the launch of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which sets sustainability targets to be achieved over the next 10 years.
Principles for Responsible Banking to strengthen climate ambition to meet increased expectations
9 February 2023
As the global framework and gold standard for Sustainable Banking, the Principles for Responsible Banking continuously evolve in line with increasing ambition and new goals humanity defines – such as the new Global Agreement on Biodiversity.
10 February 2023
(...)As a market regulator, it is no longer a choice, but an imperative, for the CFTC to enhance its ability to identify and monitor climate risk that impacts our markets and market participants.(...)
ISDA, IIF Respond To IOSCO Consultations On Compliance And Voluntary Carbon Markets
13 February 2023
On February 10, ISDA and the Institute of International Finance (IIF) submitted a joint response to the International Organization of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) consultation report on compliance carbon markets (CCMs) and discussion paper on voluntary carbon markets (VCMs).
CFTC’s Energy And Environmental Markets Advisory Committee To Meet February 28
14 February 2023
CFTC Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger, sponsor of the Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee (EEMAC), today announced the EEMAC will hold a public meeting from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, February 28 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Nashville Public Library. Members of the public may also attend the meeting virtually and if space permits, in person.
17 February 2023
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) today welcomed the statement by the ISSB setting out its progress in the development of its first sustainability related corporate disclosure standards.
18 February 2023
The European Commission published today the list of members for the new mandate of the Platform on Sustainable Finance. The Platform will advise the Commission on the EU Taxonomy and the EU sustainable finance framework more broadly, with a reinforced focus on usability.
ISDA Response to ESMA’s Consultation on Draft ESG Fund Naming Guidelines
21 February 2023
The International Swaps and Derivatives Associations (ISDA) appreciates the opportunity to provide comments to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on its proposed guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms (the “Consultation Paper”).
ESG INDICES AND PRODUCTS
El Panel de Bonos Vinculados a la Sostenabilidad cumple 1 año
9 February 2023
BYMA dará visibilidad a los Bonos VS en un Panel específico y, posteriormente, podrán transaccionarse en los mismos sistemas que el Mercado provee para la negociación de los distintos valores negociables. Se trata del primer panel de Bonos Vinculados a la Sostenibilidad (Bonos VS) del mercado argentino, integrado por Obligaciones Negociables y Títulos Públicos.
Green Bond Digital Tracking Wins Special Award at MoE's ESG Finance Awards Japan
14 February 2023
JPX Market Innovation & Research (JPXI) has received a Special Award in the fundraisers category at the 4th ESG Finance Awards Japan, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment. The award was given for JPXI's issuance of its Digitally Tracked Green Bond and the Green Tracking Hub that enables timely visualization of the bond's greenness indicators.
GENDER EQUALITY
LuxSE International Women's Day Ring the Bell Ceremony
13 February 2023
This year, we'll celebrate two initiatives that contribute to gender equality: The Luxembourg’s Women in Finance Charter and the listing of a gender bond issued by NMB on our exchange.
BNP Paribas Asset Management Study Shows Strong Growth In Female Board Membership
16 February 2023
For a second successive year BNP Paribas Asset Management (‘BNPP AM’) has published the results of its global study on female board membership, ahead of the 2023 AGM season. Board diversity is a source of financial outperformance and helps to create sustainable value.
News Highlights
