(December 2018) The United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative has launched a new user-friendly searchable database to provide easier access to sustainability information on over 90 stock exchanges worldwide. The new database interface allows users to filter the SSE’s Fact Sheets for particular activities, and gives users a quick view of what markets provide particular sustainability instruments such as mandatory ESG disclosure or a sustainability themed bond segments.

The database contains all of the data that was previously found by clicking on individual stock exchange Fact Sheets – and can still be found this way. Data in Stock Exchange Fact Sheets is collected based on publicly available information, and is updated regularly and shared with stock exchanges for verification.

The data in the SSE’s Database of Fact Sheets is also used to develop its biennial Report on Progress, summarizing progress being made in sustainability of capital markets. In the 2018 SSE Report on Progress, launched at the SSE Global Dialogue on 23 October 2018, a steep increase in a number of sustainability activities was documented.

In particular, the number of green or sustainability bond listing segments has tripled from five in 2016 to 15 in the third quarter of 2018, expanding rapidly in line with the exponential growth in the green bond market. Guidance and education activities also accelerated over the last two years: written guidance on ESG disclosure grew 85% between 2016 and late 2018, bolstered by the SSE’s campaign and Model Guidance on this topic. More broadly, sustainability education through training of companies and investors has also taken off in recent years, increasing 65% in the last two alone.

The database can be accessed here.