In its 2019 Sustainability Report, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) said green bond listing increased by over N30 billion.
The 2019 Sustainability Report, which was themed: ‘Encouraging Sustainable Businesses, Promoting Inclusive Growth,’ is a detailed compilation of the progress and milestones achieved by the NSE during the reporting period in line with its sustainability commitments, which were developed following the launch of its Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (CSR) strategy in 2013. The report also provides an update on activities implemented by the NSE, which contributed towards efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across its ecosystem.
Highlights of the report include; green bond listing which increased by over N30 billion; executed first cross border green listing of Access Bank’s N15 billion Green Bond subsequent to an MoU signed with Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE); collected 1,809kg of recyclables towards promotion of circular economy; achieved 342 percent increase in the number of students impacted through the 2019 Global Money Week with 66,749 students engaged in 2019 compared to 15,116 in 2018; received 40,966 applications for the annual NSE Essay Competition, up by over 100 percent from 2018; among others.
Speaking on the report, the head, corporate communications of NSE, Mr Olumide Orojimi said, “At the Exchange, we continue to hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards, constantly exploring new ways to apply sustainability practices in our business operations and promote the integration of environmental, social and governance imperatives in the Nigerian capital market.”
He stated that “this year’s report, therefore, spotlights the remarkable progress we made in implementing our strategic objectives with corresponding measurable impact on all stakeholder groups.Recognising the critical role the capital market plays in achieving the SDGs, we also pushed forward in our commitment to galvanise action towards responsible business practices and disclosures by issuing the NSE Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines and launching the Facts Behind the Sustainability Report series.”
Orojimi added that, “These initiatives, amongst others, will have a far reaching impact on the practice of disclosure of non financial activities across the private sector and further position the economy in favour of the big shift towards inclusive economic growth, driven by sustainable, responsible and impact investment.”
According to him, the report was written in accordance with the ‘core’ option of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and complies with the minimum requirements of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Communication of Progress (COP).
