Singapore Exchange Makes Sustainability Push

Singapore Exchange (SGX) is growing its sustainability capabilities and initiatives with a $20 million ($15 million) plan. SGX is allocating half of the budget towards new ESG-focused products, services and platforms, while the other half will be used for capacity building for the financial ecosystem, strengthening internal capabilities and increasing CSR commitments, the bourse announced in a statement on Tuesday.

We want to and can push the sustainability agenda further. As a market operator and regulator, we can influence and drive greater commitment to sustainability and greener financial markets, Loh Boon Chye, CEO of SGX, said.

All sustainability initiatives, which span across asset classes including fixed income, equities, commodities and indices, will be housed under SGX FIRST (Future in Reshaping Sustainability Together) – a multi-partner, multi-asset exchange-led sustainability platform.

The platform also aims to equip investors and issuers in this region with greater ESG knowledge and provide them with better access to a wider range of ESG-related information

Given its role in regional capital and financial markets, SGX can help facilitate collaboration within the ecosystem to catalyze change, SGX said in the statement.

For fixed income, SGX is currently working with Nasdaq on the Sustainable Bond Network Initiative. While it currently covers more than 4,500 bonds, largely from the U.S. and Europe, SGX plans to enhance data access and transparency of sustainable bonds in Asia Pacific by bringing regional issuers onto the network.

In terms of equities, more ESG-focused investment and risk management products will be rolled out in the next three years.

SGX has expanded its existing indexing partnership with FTSE Russell, Morningstar Sustainalytics and MSCI to provide ESG ratings on companies listed on SGX. Over 30 of the most recognizable SGX-listed companies are initially covered, with plans to expand coverage in 2021. SGX is also expected to launch four futures contracts in partnership with FTSE Russell in January 2021, based on the FTSE Emerging Markets, FTSE Asia ex-Japan, FTSE Emerging Markets Asia and FTSE Blossom Japan ESG-themed indices.

New sustainability benchmarks and ESG-related indices will also be layered alongside existing flagship multi-factor indices offered by SGX, including Scientific Beta and Index Edge products.  Scientific Beta will develop new solutions for institutional investors in the next 12 month for responsible investing that aligns to Paris agreement climate change goals.