This month includes news from July and August with highlights from the Amman Stock Exchange, ISSB, Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission, South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority, Stock Exchange of Thailand, and more. Monthly news highlights are compiled by the SSE to give an overview of the capital markets' sustainability news from that month(s).
You can subscribe to our monthly news highlights by clicking here.
SSE NEWS
UN SSE together with IFC and UN Women has launched two new reports to advance gender equality in capital markets. The first Market Monitor provides the first comparative assessment of gender disclosure metrics issued by exchanges and standard setters, mapped to the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and calling for harmonization and clearer guidance. The second Market Monitor inventories nearly 300 gender-themed financial instruments globally, highlighting growth alongside risks of “gender-washing” and urging stronger verification and taxonomy alignment. Together they offer an evidence base to guide policy, boost transparency, and scale gender-lens investing.
New Members from the Caribbean and Pacific: TTSE and SPX Join UN SSE to Advance Sustainable Finance
The UN SSE initiative was pleased to welcome the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE) and the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) as its newest members. Both exchanges formally committed to the initiative in July 2025, marking a significant step forward in advancing sustainable finance and responsible investment practices in small island developing states (SIDS). Small island nations like Trinidad and Tobago and Fiji face unique and urgent challenges related to climate change, economic resilience, and social equity. By joining the UN SSE, both exchanges signal their commitment to fostering sustainable capital markets that can help drive long-term, inclusive growth while addressing environmental vulnerabilities and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
WMSJ Joins UN SSE as Newest Mission Supporter
The UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UN SSE) initiative is pleased to welcome WMSJ as its newest Mission Supporter. WMSJ is a values-driven consultancy and training firm working across management consulting, technology & design, and corporate ventures - helping organizations create long-term impact through integrity and innovation. By joining the SSE community, WMSJ strengthens our “whole-of-market” approach to building transparent, resilient, and ESG-aligned capital markets. Mission Supporters like WMSJ not only enable the SSE to expand technical assistance and research, but also gain visibility at global events, speaking opportunities, and tailored engagement with SSE leadership. Learn more about becoming a UN SSE Mission Supporter here.
UNEP FI Releases New Report on Sustainability Disclosure for Risk Management
17 August 2025
The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), a parent organization of the UN SSE, has published the Sustainability Disclosure Landscape Report for Risk Management offering valuable insights from case studies across both financial institutions and real‑economy firms. It examines key frameworks including ISSB standards, ESRS, and TCFD and how these are being applied in practice to inform climate strategy and risk disclosure. The report also maps available guidelines on transition-plan disclosures, while highlighting common challenges around sustainability reporting, such as capacity gaps and implementation difficulties.
SSE Academy Upcoming Workshops & News
The following SSE Academy workshops are coming soon! SSE Academy workshops are hosted by SSE Partner Exchanges and invitations are managed directly by the exchange. If you wish to register, please visit the event page. For all upcoming workshops, visit SSEinitiative.org/sse-academy/
- 16 September: London Stock Exchange Workshop on IFRS Sustainability Standards
- 18 September: Macedonian Stock Exchange Workshop on IFRS Sustainability Standards
- 23 September: Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) Workshop on IFRS Sustainability Standards
- 24 & 26 September: Global Interactive Workshop on Gender Equality and Capital Markets
Secure Your Spot Now: 2025 IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards Training for Exchanges — Limited Slots Available!
Empower your issuers to meet the demands of sustainability-related financial disclosure with the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards Training. Developed by the UN SSE in partnership with the IFRS Foundation and IFC, this free online program helps market participants implement IFRS S1 (“General Requirements for Sustainability-related Financial Information”) and IFRS S2 (“Climate-related Disclosures”). Through 3.5 hours of live facilitation, interactive activities, and practical guidance, participants will gain the tools to integrate sustainability into governance, strategy, and risk management processes. Open to your listed companies, financial organizations, and regulators, this CPD certified training builds capacity in your market for global consistency in sustainability reporting. Stock exchanges wishing to host a training session should contact the SSE early to reserve one of the limited slots available.
More information here: https://sseinitiative.org/training-issb
Don’t Miss Out: 2025 Gender Equality Training for Exchanges and Market Participants — Sign Up Now!
Help to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 by hosting the Gender Equality in Global Capital Markets training. This free online program, hosted by SSE Partner Exchanges and facilitated by experts from the UN SSE and UN Women, offers a step-by-step approach to understanding and enhancing gender equality in markets. With four engaging modules, participants will explore the financial implications of gender inequality, improve corporate reporting and literacy on gender equality, and identify market opportunities tied to these advancements. Designed for leadership and operational staff, the training includes live expert facilitation, interactive activities, and case studies from guest speakers. This CPD certified program is an excellent opportunity for listed companies, financial organizations, and regulators to drive gender equality through sustainable finance. Stock exchanges wishing to host a training session should contact the SSE early to reserve one of the limited slots available.
More information here: https://sseinitiative.org/gender-equality-workshop
EXCHANGE NEWS
Amman Stock Exchange: 100% Compliance Percentage For Companies In Submitting Their Annual Sustainability Report For 2024 Within The Specified Period
3 July 2025
The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) announced that all 23 listed companies required to submit an annual sustainability report for 2024 did so on time, achieving full compliance via its e‑disclosure (XBRL) system. Under ASE rules, companies in the ASE20 index must follow GRI standards, with submission deadlines of six months if the report is standalone—or three months if integrated with the annual report.
Thailand - SET Signals End Of Climate ‘Claims’ Era As Credible Transition Plan Now Dictates Financial Consequences And Corporate Futures
17 July 2025
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) hosted its Sustainability Forum on 17 July, signaling a shift from climate “claims” to credible, data-backed transition plans. Companies can no longer rely on pledges alone verifiable strategies with measurable progress are now shaping valuations, financing, and long-term viability. Regulators stressed the need to align financial, fiscal, insurance, and capital market frameworks to drive Thailand’s low-carbon transition. Panelists noted that credible transition data is already influencing investment decisions, from sustainability-linked loans to systemic risk assessments.
World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) Research reveals what drives Sustainability progress at global Exchanges
21 July 2025
WFE released a new study titled “Drivers of Exchange Sustainability Development”, based on ten years of data from its annual sustainability surveys. The research analyzes environmental, economic, and cultural factors influencing ESG strategy adoption across 66 exchanges in 54 jurisdictions. It offers a first multi-year empirical assessment of what shapes exchanges’ sustainability agendas and performance.
Singapore Exchange (SGX) Announces Extended Timelines for Most Climate Reporting Requirements
25 August 2025
SGX announced that it will extend the timelines for most climate reporting requirements under its ISSB-based framework. While large listed issuers must still report Scope 1 and 2 emissions in the near term, the exchange has delayed broader requirements, including Scope 3 reporting, to give companies more time to build capacity. The move reflects feedback from issuers about the challenges of collecting reliable data across supply chains.
REGULATOR & STANDARD SETTER NEWS
ISSB Proposes Comprehensive Review of Priority SASB Standards and Targeted Amendments to Others
3 July 2025
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) released exposure drafts to revise SASB standards and IFRS S2 industry-based guidance. The review covers nine priority industries with targeted updates across others, aiming to enhance comparability and global alignment of sustainability metrics. This step is part of ISSB’s effort to maintain the relevance of industry-specific ESG disclosures.
FCA Publishes Final UK Prospectus Rules
15 July 2025
The FCA published Policy Statement PS25/9, reforming UK prospectus rules. Among the changes, issuers must now include summaries of transition plans in prospectuses where they are material to investors. This ensures that investors have access to information on how companies intend to manage climate and sustainability risks in capital raising documents.
SEBI’s Master Circular on ESG Ratings: Strengthening Governance and Transparency in India’s Financial Markets
15 July 2025
SEBI issued a Master Circular consolidating rules for ESG rating providers (ERPs) operating in India. The circular standardizes requirements around methodology transparency, data sources, and conflict-of-interest management. By tightening oversight, SEBI aims to improve the reliability of ESG ratings in India’s capital markets.
FSCA and IFC announce partnership to improve sustainability reporting in South Africa
24 July 2025
South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to advance mandatory ISSB-aligned sustainability reporting. The collaboration will build technical capacity and prepare for future regulatory requirements across Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed firms. It signals South Africa’s move to embed climate and ESG transparency into the core of its financial system.
EFRAG Shares Revised ESRS Exposure Drafts and Launches 60-Day Public Consultation
31 July 2025
EFRAG released revised exposure drafts of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and opened a 60-day consultation. The new drafts simplify requirements, aiming to reduce reporting burden for companies while keeping alignment with EU sustainability objectives. Feedback from this consultation will inform the final standards set to guide corporate sustainability disclosures across the EU.
SEC drafts new sustainability reporting rules for Philippine firms
11 August 2025
The Philippine SEC has released draft rules requiring publicly listed companies (PLCs) and large non-listed entities (LNLs) to adopt PFRS S1 and S2 standards on sustainability and climate disclosures starting January 2026. Reporting will be phased: Tier 1 PLCs by 2027, Tier 2 by 2028, and Tier 3 PLCs and LNLs by 2029, with transition relief including simplified disclosures and no Scope 3 emissions initially. Companies must obtain limited assurance of Scope 1 and 2 emissions two years after reporting begins. Stakeholders may comment until August 15, 2025. The SEC aims to boost transparency, align with global standards, and
strengthen ESG investment in the Philippines.