Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate change
• Green-house gas emissions
• Talent acquisition & retention
• Contribution to stable economy
• Data & cyber security
• Transparency
• Business ethics
• Systemic risk management
• Diversity & inclusion
• Contribution to financial literacy
• Employee (ESG) training & dev.
• Employee (mental) health & safety
• Digitalization & innovation
• Sustainable supply chain management
• Participating in ESG discussion, networking
• ESG products & services development
• Supporting (sustainable) SME & start-ups

Environmental Achievements

• Improved energy efficiency by around 22% (25,000 MWh) from 2013 to 2020.
• Launched several new ESG indices in Switzerland, Spain and Scandinavia.

Social Achievements

• Increased the proportion of women in management positions to 22.2% (2020: 19.3%).
• Introduced a hybrid work model in 2022.
• Expanded the SIX Social Days corporate volunteering program.
• Organized IT internships for migrants and women.
• Awarded the “Fair-ON-Pay” certification for equal pay in Switzerland.

Governance Achievements

• Revised SIX Code of Conduct to internationalize provisions and cover all markets.
• Implemented a Supplier Risk Management system.
• Integrated ESG aspects into its Group-wide risk framework and risk assessment.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Fragmented and varying ESG disclosure regulations across jurisdictions.
• Growing interconnectedness and complexity in the financial industry.
• Increasing regulation and progressive digitalization.
• Climate change bringing new challenges for financial markets.
• Skills shortages and aging society.
• Customer contracts at risk without a credible path to net zero.

Mitigation Strategies

• Advocating for harmonization of regulatory requirements and reporting standards.
• Continuously adapting and developing risk and security management.
• Seeking a commitment to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
• Offering high-quality ESG data and seamless distribution, analysis and information solutions.
• Promoting employee commitment and development.
• Developing a global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategy.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Random checks of the most important suppliers using a tool-based survey (2019 and onwards). Membership in EcoVadis with a score of 57/100.

Responsible Procurement

• SIX Code for Suppliers (binding guidelines on business ethics, compliance, labor standards, and environmental protection).

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Impacts on the stability of systemically important infrastructure.

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes, market shifts

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products and services

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (“Core”), SASB, TCFD, EU CSRD

Certifications: Fair-ON-Pay

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• SIX Digital Exchange (SDX)
• ESG data and indices
• eBill

Awards & Recognition

• Fair-ON-Pay certification

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environment
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Cut operations’ carbon emissions by 70% and supply chain emissions by 20% before 2030
• Replaced single-use plastics with eco-friendly alternatives across sites and operations before 2030

Social Achievements

• Provided everyone on sites with access to mental and physical health initiatives, tools, and training before 2025
• Reduced total recordable case rate by 50% before 2025
• Achieved rating among leading employers for inclusion globally before 2025

Governance Achievements

• ESG fully integrated in the business strategy
• Sustainable financing framework leveraging purpose performance disclosure in our reporting suite

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Evolving reporting landscape (CSRD, TCFD, etc.)
• Data consolidation and quality assurance for Scope 3 emissions

Mitigation Strategies

• Leveraging a global data reporting tool and cross-functional collaboration
• Establishing a “sustainable operations governance” connecting bottom-up and top-down approaches
• Implementing an internal carbon price (ICP) and performance monitoring system

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Responsible sourcing practices to protect people and the environment

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Climate change impacts on operations and supply chain

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes related to climate action

Opportunities

• Development of sustainable products and services

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, TCFD, CDP, UNGC, SASB, SDGs, IFRS S1 & S2, ISSB

Third-party Assurance: External audit

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Talent Acquisition and Retention
• Systemic Risk Management
• Business Ethics
• Transparency
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Digitalization and Innovation
• Supporting SME and Start-Ups
• Participating in ESG Discussion
• Sustainable Supply Chain Management
• Employee Health and Safety
• Employee Training and Development
• Contribution to Financial Literacy
• Contribution to Stable Economy
• Data and Cyber Security

Environmental Achievements

• Achieved a 4.5% improvement in energy efficiency (exceeding the 1.5% target of the Zurich Energy Model)
• Used 100% certified hydroelectric power in most Swiss locations
• BME purchased electricity from renewable sources at most locations
• Implemented a “zero to landfill” approach when relocating its London office
• Zurich data center awarded the SDEA SILVER Plus label for exceptional energy efficiency
• Returned 1,730 servers and related components for refurbishment or recycling
• Returned 483 computers, monitors, and other accessories for reuse or recycling

Social Achievements

• Launched a new board education program (Board Essentials) in collaboration with the University of St. Gallen
• Offered multiple training opportunities (webinars, conferences, events) to support issuers in implementing regulatory ESG disclosure requirements
• Organized GRI training with GRI and the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative to help issuers meet new regulatory reporting obligations
• Ran a best-in-class sustainability reporting workshop for SMEs
• Expanded the capital markets catalog to include sustainability reporting software providers
• Updated the sustainability handbook
• Expanded the family-oriented peer coaching program to additional locations
• Expanded Cultural Round Tables sessions to Spain and online
• Offered Leaders4Leaders sessions in German and Spanish
• Held TEDxSIX satellite events in Spain and Poland
• Introduced a new approach to promotion and career advancement
• Organized SIX Social Days with over 100 employees participating in Switzerland and over 40 in Spain
• Achieved a 24.3% representation of women in management positions (an increase of 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous year)
• Participated in three Pride events in Zurich, Warsaw, and Madrid
• Offered eight IT internship placements through the Powercoders program for refugees
• Offered two internship placements to professional athletes through the Athletes Network

Governance Achievements

• Established the first Group sustainability team in a cross-divisional and international organization
• Strengthened data and processes to prepare the carbon footprint for initial near-term targets
• Updated the SIX Code for Suppliers with new sections on corporate governance and ESG aspects
• Introduced a new process and software for screening new suppliers for ESG criteria
• Published a Human Rights Statement
• Implemented a new internal DE&I dashboard in partnership with the Competence Center for Diversity & Inclusion at the University of St. Gallen (CCDI HSG)
• Approved a new DE&I Strategy with clear strategic objectives

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Complexity of the ESG landscape regarding frameworks, standards, and metrics
• Data quality variations from companies
• Differences in ESG ratings methodologies
• Fragmented approaches to ESG adoption across the data value chain
• Potential for greenwashing
• Competition for talent
• Skills shortages aggravated by the aging of society
• Non-renewal of EU equivalence for SIX Swiss Exchange
• Tightening of market access for SIX SIS through the CSDR Refit regulation

Mitigation Strategies

• Developed and launched a new ESG product strategy and roadmap for 2022 to 2025
• Developed a quality management and due diligence framework to address greenwashing concerns
• Building a new analytical software as a service (SaaS) solutions offering
• Enhanced its ESG Data Hub, mapping diverse ESG data sets while collaborating with reputable providers
• Expanded its data coverage by mapping its services toward regulatory frameworks globally
• Expanded the capabilities of its document repository management system, SIX DocHub
• Partnered with leading software solutions providers to develop a range of SaaS offerings
• Working with Greenomy to launch an SME issuer and green lending eligibility assessment system
• Actively engaged in the evolution of policymaking in Switzerland, Spain, and the EU
• Monitored and commented on developments at the level of international standard setters (e.g. IOSCO, BCBS, FSB)
• Implemented a robust framework to prevent and detect corruption and bribery
• Established a comprehensive Conflict of Interest policy
• Strengthened the underlying basis for environmental data and processes involved in data collection and calculation
• Selected a Group-wide software tool for environmental management
• Amended procurement regulations with a binding obligation to apply sustainability criteria when selecting new suppliers

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 80% coverage planned for 2024

Responsible Procurement

• SIX Code for Suppliers
• New process and software for screening new suppliers for ESG criteria
• Binding obligation to take environmental and human rights aspects into consideration when selecting new suppliers

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Extreme weather events
• Flooding
• Water shortages
• Business disruption due to climate change and extreme events

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes
• Market shifts

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, ESRS (partial)

Certifications: Fair-ON-Pay (Switzerland)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 5: Gender Equality
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• Goal 13: Climate Action
• Goal 4: Quality Education

SIX contributes to these goals through its role as a financial market infrastructure provider, an ESG products and services provider, and a responsible employer; by supporting sustainable investments and promoting financial literacy.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• ESG Data Hub
• RegRisk Services
• Analytical Solutions
• ESG Indices
• Sustainable Bonds

Awards & Recognition

• 2022 Best Data Management Initiative for ESG by Data Management Insight Awards Europe
• 2022 Best ESG Index Provider by ESG Insight Awards
• 2022 Best ESG Strategy Implementation by Finance Magnates FMLS Awards
• 2023 Best ESG Regulatory Solution by RegTech Insight Awards Europe
• 2023 Best ESG Data Provider by Financial Technologies Forum Awards
• 2023 Equity Sweden ESG Leaders Index Award by Xenix
• Silver Award for the Finance Museum’s TikTok channel at the European Digital Communication Awards 2023
• Great Place To Work Legend certification for the Warsaw office