ESG Metrics Disclosures for Index-Listed Companies in Paris, New York and Johannesburg

Abstract

Against the background of Index listed companies, for example the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext) CAC 40 ESG Index, New York (NY) Stock Exchange iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF Index and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Equity Fund or Index, this article will review similarities in ESG metrics disclosures relevant to each index and whether a stock exchange could rate an index for ESG compliance without making use of an external rating company, for example MSCI. This article also discusses the method used by MSCI to rate listed companies for ESG compliance and whether asset or fund managers could rate their investment portfolios independently from a stock exchange. In this regard, three asset managers – BNP Paribas, Blackrock and Old Mutual – are examined for similarities in their ESG rating processes. In addition, this article explains whether the above stock exchanges are using the same ESG metrics or not. Paris Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, ESG, asset manager index, asset manager ESG compliance, ESG rating, United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative