STOXX^® Europe Sustainability

The STOXX® Europe 600 ESG-X index is based on the STOXX® Europe 600 index, one of Europe's key benchmarks, with standardized ESG exclusion screens applied. The screens are based on the responsible policies of leading asset owners and aims to reduce reputational and idiosyncratic risks. STOXX will exclude companies that ISS ESG considers to be non-compliant based on Norms-based research, are involved in Controversial Weapons, are Tobacco Producers and that either derive revenues from Thermal Coal extraction or exploration, or, have power generation capacity that utilises thermal coal. The STOXX® Europe 600 ESG-X index is suitable as underlying for mandates, passive funds, ETFs, structured products and listed derivatives, with the ambition to increase liquidity and lower the cost of trading.

In February 2019, the STOXX^® Europe 600 ESG-X Index became the underlying for Europe’s first ESG futures contracts, listed on Eurex.

Since October 21, 2019 Eurex too offers options contracts on the STOXX^® Europe 600 ESG-X Index.

This index applies screens in alignment with the ESMA guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms, which include controversial weapons, Tobacco, Coal (>1%), Oil fuels (>10%), Gaseous fuels (>50%/ Power generation), UNGC principles / OECD guidelines. Per the ESMA guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms, this index meets an 80% threshold linked to the proportion of investments used to meet environmental or social characteristic or sustainable investment objectives in accordance with the binding elements of the investment strategy.

Index Guides, Benchmark statement, and other reports are available under the Data tab.

STOXX Low Carbon Footprint Indices: The STOXX Low Carbon Footprint Indices are for investors who want to entirely exclude carbon exposure from their portfolios or divest from them. These indices focus on those companies that have the lowest emissions, by excluding the top seven high carbon emission supersectors (Chemicals, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Construction & Materials, Travel & Leisure, Food & Beverage and Basic Resources). Additionally, from the remaining universe the top 10% of companies in terms of highest emissions are excluded. The indices have a variable number of components., and are price weighted with a weight factor based on the free-float market cap multiplied by the corresponding Z-score carbon intensity factor of each constituent. The indices also exlcude companies violating international norms, are involved with controversial weapons, tobacco, thermal coal, civilian firearms, military equipment, and unconventional oil and gas.

STOXX uses  ISS ESG as reliable and professional data sources for the estimated and reported data. Data considered comprise Scope 1 (All direct GHG emissions) and Scope 2 (Indirect GHG emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat or steam) emissions.

STOXX calculates a comprehensive family of Low Carbon Indices. Click here to see all available indices.

Index Guides, Benchmark statement, and other reports are available under the Data tab.

The STOXX Climate Transition Benchmark Indices are based on liquid securities from a selection of STOXX Benchmark Indices. The indices are constructed to follow the EU Climate Transition Benchmark (EU CTB) requirements outlined in the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards minimum standards for EU Climate Transition Benchmarks.

Companies identified as non-compliant based on Sustainalytics Global Standards Screening (GSS) assessment, are involved in Controversial Weapons or display a Severe (Category 5) Controversy Rating, as identified by Sustainalytics are not eligible for selection. Tobacco Producers, as identified by ISS ESG, are also not eligible. Furthermore, STOXX will exclude companies that ISS ESG assesses to have Significant Obstruction in the UN SDG 12,13,14,15.

The weighing process follows an optimization process to meet the minimum requirements detailed in the TEG report. The STOXX Climate Transition Benchmark Indices aim to reduce their greenhouse gas intensity by at least 30% when compared to their underlying benchmarks. They are also designed to meet the year on year 7% decarbonization target.

High climate impact sector weights of the STOXX Climate Transition Benchmark Indices are not underweighted relative to the underlying benchmark. The indices also overweigh securities with Science Based Targets, as verified by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).

Index Guides, Benchmark statement, and other reports are available under the Data tab.