-
- Investors and insurers need higher quality sustainability data to assess mega-risks
- Despite landmark Paris climate deal, the majority of large companies do not disclose greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) data, water and energy usage, and waste levels
- Mandatory and prescriptive sustainability disclosure requirements work, but global standardisation is vital
- Euronext Amsterdam tops ranking of 45 global exchanges measured on overall sustainability disclosure; absence of progress among stock exchanges in bottom half of table
- Developed economies lead on disclosure, but emerging markets are closing the gap
(London): The world’s largest companies are under-reporting sustainability policies and performance, hampering access to data that will allow investors to play a full role in the transition to a low-carbon economy, according to a new report released today.
The study, “Measuring sustainability Disclosure: Ranking the World’s Stock Exchanges 2016”, finds that of 4469 large companies analysed, only 47% disclosed GHGs, arguably the most closely tracked sustainability indicator. Furthermore, over the 2010-2014 period, the number of large companies that disclosed GHGs nudged up just 12 points from 33% to 47%, despite a number of high-profile policy initiatives aimed at sustainability disclosure in the last few years.
First commissioned by Aviva Plc in 2012 as part of the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative, the report tracks corporate disclosure on seven sustainability indicators – payroll, GHGs, energy, water, waste, injury rate and employee turnover. Written by Corporate Knights, it also suggests how such disclosure can be translated into actionable key performance indicators, which might help investors to distinguish companies that are incorporating sustainability into their value creation story.
Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at Aviva Investors, said:
“We go further than ever in this fifth annual report by looking beyond disclosure and into performance analysis. For each exchange, we assess carbon intensity, fossil fuel reserve intensity and the percentage of listed companies whose businesses involve environmentally-friendly activities, technologies and services versus high-carbon emission activities. This is a significant step forward that will empower investors to increase the integration of sustainability factors into investment decision making.”
The last year has seen significant milestones for sustainability, with the Paris Agreement on climate change and the subsequent Financial Stability Board (FSB) task force on climate-related disclosure, as well as the announcement of the Sustainable Development Goals (3). The task force will recommend climate-related financial risk disclosures later this year. These are encouraging developments, but with the majority of companies failing to provide sufficient transparency, there is a clear need for policymakers, securities regulators, investors and stock exchanges to take a more formal and proactive approach.
The report, which begins with a foreword by Aviva Group Chief Executive Mark Wilson, includes the following recommendations:
- Policymakers and securities regulators in both developed and emerging economies are encouraged to study the possibility of influencing investment returns based on the corporate sustainability of the securities issuer. For instance, dividends of issuers in the same sector could be taxed more highly or lowly depending on sustainability ratings.
- The more highly ranked stock exchanges have at least one mandatory, prescriptive requirement to regulate sustainability disclosure. It is recommended other jurisdictions consider this approach or convert existing voluntary policies into mandatory ones.
- Stock exchanges are encouraged to track and publicly report on listed entities that are engaging in sustainability disclosure and those that are not to put pressure on laggards.
Exchanges rising and falling
Euronext Amsterdam was the world’s best performing exchange when it came to disclosure of sustainability metrics. Over 50% of its large listings disclosed all four environmental metrics – GHGs, energy, water and waste. Stock exchanges in European developed countries dominated the top 10 rankings, with the exception of the Australian Securities Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
The London Stock Exchange, which placed eighth in the ranking, saw 95% of its large companies disclose GHGs. The UK’s 2013 update of the Companies Act made GHG disclosure mandatory for listed UK incorporated companies.
There was a general absence of progress among stock exchanges in the lower half of the ranking. Some 21 stock exchanges have been placed in the bottom half at least three consecutive times and remain there this year. Among emerging economies, The Stock Exchange of Thailand and Bursa Malaysia climbed sharply in the last two years, landing in 13th place and 17th place respectively, compared to 27th and 23rd place in 2014.
The full report is available http://www.corporateknights.com/reports/2016-world-stock-exchanges/
For more information contact:
Victoria Howley
Aviva Investors Media Relations
+44 (0) 7809 8791
Steve Ainger
Aviva Investors Media Relations
+44 (0) 7809 8452
Notes to editors:
The information and opinions contained in this document are for use by the financial press and media only, and do not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information or opinions contained in this document nor should they be seen as advice.
The press release is provided on the basis that Aviva Investors Global Services Limited is not causing the communication of a financial promotion under exemption of the Financial Promotion Order, as Aviva Investors Global Services Limited has no control over the way in which an article based on this press release is prepared and published by the financial press and media.
Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (“Aviva Investors”) as at 20 July 2016.
Aviva Investors
Aviva Investors is the global asset management business of Aviva plc. The business delivers investment management solutions, services and client-driven performance to clients worldwide. Aviva Investors operates in 15 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe and the United Kingdom, with assets under management of £290 billion as at 31 March 2016.
Aviva plc
- Aviva provides life insurance, general insurance, health insurance and asset management to 33 million customers, across 16 markets worldwide
- In the UK we are the leading insurer serving one in every four households and have strong businesses in selected markets in Europe, Asia and Canada. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE100 index
- Aviva’s asset management business, Aviva Investors, provides asset management services to both Aviva and external clients, and currently manages over £289 billion in assets
- Aviva helps people save for the future and manage the risks of everyday life; we paid out £30.7 billion in benefits and claims in 2015
- By serving our customers well, we are building a business which is strong and sustainable, which our people are proud to work for, and which makes a positive contribution to society
- The Aviva media centre at http://www.aviva.com/media/ includes company information, images, and a news release archive.
- For an introduction to what we do and how we do it, please click here http://www.aviva.com/about-us/aviva/
- For broadcast-standard video, please visit http://www.aviva.com/media/b-roll-library/
- Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/avivaplc/
- Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aviva-plc
- For the latest corporate films from around our business, subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/aviva
Corporate Knights
Corporate Knights Inc. (CK) has a media and research division, which includes magazine Corporate Knights, and a research division, which produces corporate rankings, research reports and financial product ratings based on corporate sustainability performance. Its best-known rankings include the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada and the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. In June 2013, Corporate Knights was named Magazine of the Year by Canada’s National Magazine Awards Foundation. For more information, visit www.corporateknights.com.