SGX Introduces Sustainability Reporting Guide to Support Listed Companies [Press Releases]

June 28, 2011 by Eugene Tay
Filed under News

27 Jun 2011 – Singapore Exchange (“SGX”) introduced today a Sustainability Reporting Guide (the “Guide”) for its listed companies. This follows a public consultation, issued in August 2010 that received widespread attention and positive feedback in support of disclosure and accountability for operating and developing businesses in a sustainable manner.

It has long been recognised that the way businesses operate can have long terms effects on the environment and society. More recently concerns about climate change, biodiversity, social and environmental risks have been heightened by crises and natural disasters. Global investors and other important stakeholders have called for companies to espouse sustainability and report what they do. SGX, as a responsible Exchange with global reach, has responded with a Guide for listed companies.

Within the Guide, the Policy Statement sets out the principles and the Questions and Answers guide listed companies in extending their reporting beyond financial governance to sustainability aspects. A more holistic reporting will be achieved, with companies reporting their financials as well as the environmental and social risks, and strengths as relevant.

“The Sustainability Reporting Guide is the first step for listed companies who are new to sustainability reporting. A few are already practising and reporting fully on sustainability matters. Among them are even award-winners because they see the need to adopt such reporting. With time, more SGX companies will join the ranks of these with international acclaim,” said Mr Magnus Böcker, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Exchange.

The Policy Statement and Sustainability Reporting Guide are applicable to Mainboard and Catalist companies listed on SGX. Both Policy Statement and the Guide are available on www.sgx.com under “Rule Books”.