A World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) survey shows investors are increasingly studying the sustainability practices and policies of companies as a factor in their investment decisions.
In a statement here today, the WFE’s Sustainability Working Group, which was set up in March 2014, said its finding showed that ESG (Environment, Social and Corporate Governance) concerns were becoming widespread among global capital market participants.
It said some 39 per cent of respondents (22 out of 56) to the global exchange survey stated they had received ESG-related queries from investors, out of which 10 said that such enquiries are on the increase.
Meanwhile, 37 per cent of exchanges (21 out of 56) require listed companies to disclose at least some ESG information, whether on a mandatory or voluntary basis, which goes beyond corporate governance criteria.
The survey received responses from 56 exchanges - or 93 per cent - out of WFE’s 60-member exchanges worldwide in 2014.
