Pan-European market infrastructure Euronext has unveiled its Euronext Sustainable Network, intended as a collaborative ecosystem consisting of key European players in sustainable finance. Participants in the initiative will include investment firms, banks, lawyers, audit and advisory companies, carbon brokers and data providers. According to Euronext, the network will focus on promoting best practice, supporting the around 1,900 European issuers and 6,000 international investors associated with Euronext, and enhancing collaboration to drive innovation. Further, it will seek to advance sustainable finance by aligning efforts across stakeholders, educating members on ESG topics, regulations, and emerging trends, as well as leveraging collective expertise. The announcement was one of several made at Euronext Sustainability Week, including the launch of the exchange group’s ESG Trends Report 2024, which covers the reporting and performance of listed firms. According to the report, Euronext-listed firms registered an average decrease of 14% in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions over the past three years, with mid-cap companies reporting a 29% reduction. Euronext also published an updated version of its ESG Reporting Guide for listed firms – incorporating the latest EU regulations, recent developments in ESG standards and case studies on ESG practices. It also launched an ESG advisory solution to support implementation of European Sustainability Reporting Standards by small- and medium-sized companies under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. “The ongoing development of our ESG products and services underscores our dedication to equipping companies with the essential tools to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape, elevate their ESG performance, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” said Stéphane Boujnah, Euronext’s CEO and Chairman.
