Sustainability at SIX

Sustainability at SIX

As a key player in the financial markets, SIX supports the sustainable and responsible development of the financial industry.

We Shape the Transformation for Sustainable Financial Markets

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. In recent years, interest in ESG has absolutely exploded. Companies have to be more transparent – far beyond key financial figures. At SIX, we’re taking on this challenge. That’s why we have developed a strategy that puts sustainability at the heart of our business. As a financial market infrastructure provider, SIX plays a key role. Our position at the interface between the financial markets and the economy allows us to help shape the transition to sustainable development.

Our Sustainability Strategy

Our sustainability strategy is based on a four-pillar model. In these four areas, we can achieve the greatest possible impact for the economy, society, and the environment. 

Financial Market Infrastructure Provider

Help companies navigate sustainability in capital markets: SIX helps companies disclose sustainability information and comply with legal requirements. SIX increases transparency for investors, enabling them to align their investments more effectively with their preferences.

Empower SMEs to go public: SIX opens additional financing channels for SMEs to accelerate their growth and bolster their financial resilience.

 

 

ESG Data, Products, and Services Provider

Support navigating the complexity of ESG: SIX supports clients in navigating the dynamic sustainability landscape by providing ESG and regulatory data through a dedicated and integrated product offering. 

Enhance transparency for investors with reliable ESG Indices: SIX provides robust and independent benchmarks for the bond and equity markets. They serve as reliable reference points for investors. 

Help clients achieve their sustainability goals: Across business units SIX provides products and services that positively impact the sustainability goals of our clients and their end users.

Attractive Employer

Attract and retain talent: SIX maintains a sustainable talent pipeline at all levels of the organization, recruiting the most skilled professionals from the external market and promoting people from the internal talent pool.

Foster diversity and inclusion: SIX promotes a diverse and inclusive culture that values different perspectives and fosters Group-wide collaboration.

Invest in continuous development: SIX promotes a culture of lifelong learning and offers its people a wide range of development opportunities.

Create an environment of well-being: SIX offers a healthy, productive, and purposeful work environment based on trust.

Good Corporate Citizen

Enable the transition to net zero emissions: SIX aims for net zero emissions by 2050 and has established near-term emissions reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In all its spheres of influence, SIX actively supports the successful transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

Remain a trusted partner: SIX ensures credibility and transparency, in line with ESG standards and regulations.

Contribute to financial literacy: SIX promotes financial
literacy and knowledge, contributing to a stable economy.

Paving the Way for Sustainability in the Swiss Financial Center

The Swiss Financial Center aims to be a global leader in sustainable finance, supporting the transition to a sustainable and prosperous economy. 

Have a look how SIX contributes to advancing sustainability across Switzerland. 

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Science-Based Targets to Achieve Net-Zero by 2050

SBTi has recognized the alignment of our near-term and long-term goals with a 1.5°C climate trajectory.The approved targets include:

Overall Net-Zero Target: Overall Net-Zero Target:
SIX is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its value chain by 2050.
Near-Term Targets: Near-Term Targets:
By 2030, SIX aims to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42% from a 2023 baseline. Additionally, SIX commits to a 25% reduction in scope 3 emissions, focusing on capital goods, business travel, and employee commuting. By 2029, 60% of our suppliers (by emissions) in purchased goods and services will need to have their own science-based targets in place.
Long-Term Targets: Long-Term Targets:
By 2050, SIX aims to reduce absolute scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions by 90% from the 2023 baseline.
Learn More About Our Path to Net-Zero

Sustainability Reporting

SIX has supported the sustainability efforts of the international financial centers where it operates for years. For the first time, our 2024 Annual Report includes sustainability reporting embedded into our business topics, including sustainability statements based on the European Sustainability Reporting Standards.

Read the SIX Annual Report 2024

Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are core for the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. SIX is transparent about which of the SDGs it is particularly contributing to.  Find below the SDGs that SIX is actively supporting: 

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

SIX sees the advancement of financial knowledge in society as a contribution to economic stability and sustainable development, and engages in the contribution to financial literacy, which is one of the material sustainability topics for SIX. 

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

SIX fosters gender equality in all its spheres of influence as a financial market infrastructure provider and product and services provider and as a responsible employer. SIX sees progress towards gender equality as a core contribution to a more sustainable economy and society.

Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all

In its position at the interface between financial markets and business, SIX supports the transition to a more sustainable economy by incorporating sustainability into its core activities and supporting issuers, investors, and customers to reach their targets in this regard.

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation

With its stock exchanges in Switzerland and Spain SIX plays an increasingly important role in helping sustainable companies – or those in transition – to obtain financing through the capital markets and increase transparency for investors in terms of sustainability.

Reduce inequality within and among countries

SIX is committed to support in creating an inclusive economy and society. SIX does that in its role as financial market infrastructure provider, as an ESG products and services provider, and as a responsible employer.

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

SIX is committed to protecting the climate and fostering the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in all its areas of influence. SIX does that by supporting the market participants with reducing capital-market inefficiencies which impede optimal capital allocation and transparency and by setting its own carbon reduction targets.

Discover Our Research Reports

LGBTQ+ Transparency: A Competitive Edge for Swiss Companies

The very first Investor Guide to LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Switzerland, created in partnership with Open for Business, analyses LGBTQ+ inclusion transparency among Switzerland's 50 largest companies. Companies with high transparency are 2.2 times more likely to be market leaders. Yet, 86% of major firms remain opaque – missing out on measurable performance gains. As Gen Z reshapes the workforce and consumer base, inclusion transparency emerges as a critical factor for sustainable competitive advantage in Switzerland's evolving business landscape. 

Download: Read the Compiled Findings in the Report
ESG Investing – a Cornerstone for Growth

For the global Cornerstones for Growth study, part of the Future of Finance series, Censuswide on behalf of SIX surveyed portfolio managers, asset allocators, and hedge fund managers across 300 international financial institutions in the UK, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. They have provided insights about the growth drivers and challenges surrounding mass institutional adoption of two developing and topical areas: digital assets and ESG investing.  

Download: Read the Compiled Findings in the Report

Examples of Sustainability at SIX

Contribution to a Stable Economy

Switzerland and Spain are countries with a high proportion of SMEs. We therefore offer platforms that provide small to medium-sized enterprises with access to the capital market. In Switzerland, we launched Sparks, a stock exchange for SMEs. We have a counterpart to this in Spain with BME Growth. In addition, with our participation in Tenity (formerly F10) incubator and accelerator, we promote fintech start-ups that are committed to a sustainable financial center.

Commitment to Our Employees

As an employer, SIX fosters diversity and inclusion. We stand for equal opportunity and offer an environment in which people can develop regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or religion. Our corporate culture, SIX Spirit, encourages employees to take responsibility and initiative. We directly involve our employees in our sustainability strategy. To this end, we have developed an internal platform that provides information on ESG topics, encourages participation, and is constantly evolving.

Sustainable Products

As a financial market infrastructure provider, SIX drives positive change toward a sustainable economy. We create the framework for investing in a wide range of sustainable products, including ETFs, green bonds and structured products. As a provider of ESG data and ESG indices, we help our clients to achieve their sustainability goals.

Contribution to Society

As a company, we have a responsibility to society. In promoting financial literacy, SIX contributes in this regard so that people can make informed decisions. The Swiss Finance Museum in Zurich, and the commitment of SIX as part of World Investor Week are just two of many such examples. SIX is also a member of various associations and organizations - for example, the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, which promotes investments in a sustainable future. Furthermore, as a member of Advance, SIX is committed to equal rights for women and men in business.

Find all memberships of SIX in Industry Bodies and Initiatives here.

Environmental Protection

SIX has committed to steadily reducing its CO2 emissions, and to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. For that reason, we joined the Science Based Targets initiative. In addition, as part of Energy Model Zurich, we have undertaken to increase our energy efficiency by at least 1.5% each year.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct governs all employees and the members of the Board of Directors of SIX. It covers the principles of SIX, substantive topics such as dealing with conflicts of interest, and combating money laundering and corruption. It defines how SIX deals with the competition, how it deals with information security and the SIX Spirit – the corporate culture of SIX.

Code for Suppliers

The Code for Suppliers defines binding policies regarding business ethics and compliance, as well as work standards and environmental protection. All suppliers and subcontractors are bound by the code, and must adhere to its provisions.

Tax Transparency Report

Our tax strategy is guided by the values to contribute to a stable economy, to be compliant with the law, and to be transparent. Employees of SIX work together to ensure that the governance and risk framework are applied.

 

Human Rights

At SIX, we are fully committed to respecting human rights, and upholding them in all our spheres of influence is, to us, an essential part of our corporate responsibility.  Our Human Rights Statement sets out how we ensure that human rights are respected at all times.

 

Corporate Governance

SIX is conscious of its responsibility as a corporate citizen, and ensures transparency. As a valid set of regulations, Corporate Governance encompasses all areas, and determines how SIX manages, organizes and monitors.

 

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