iSTOXX^® APG Emerging Markets Responsible SDI

The ISS STOXX Europe 600 Biodiversity Focus SRI Index tracks the performance of STOXX Europe 600 companies after a set of compliance, ESG involvement screens, biodiversity screens, and overall impact on biodiversity and environmental UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) objectives are applied. Companies that are non-compliant based on the ISS ESG Norms Based Screening assessment or are involved in Controversial Weapons are not eligible for selection. Additional exclusion filters are applied, screening companies for involvement in Palm Oil, GMO Agriculture, Hazardous Pesticides, Animal Welfare, Fur Involvement, Tobacco, Adult Entertainment, Alcohol, Gambling, Thermal Coal, Unconventional Oil & Gas, Fossil Fuels, Nuclear Power, Civilian Firearms, and Military Contracting. Companies are also screened for their ESG Rating. Furthermore, only companies in the top 80% rank of Potentially Disappeared Fraction of species over Enterprise Value including Cash (PDF/EVIC) scores based on ISS ESG Biodiversity Impact Assessment Tool (BIAT) as well as the top 80% rank of biodiversity-related ISS ESG SDG Impact Rating aggregated score within each ICB Sector of the universe are selected.

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

The STOXX Climate Awareness Ex UN Global Compact Principles and Controversial Weapons indices will include companies with a CDP Performance Band A to C- (pre-2016 Performance Band A to C). Band A and A- includes companies that are seen as leading companies in terms of climate change: these companies are disclosing particular “actions” which mark them as leaders, as well as high scores across all other levels of the CDP Scoring matrix. Scoring requires detailed company-specific explanations. Band B & B- includes companies that “manage” climate change: companies seek evidence of climate actions implemented and requires company-specific understanding of climate change related issues.  Band C and C- identifies companies who have looked at implications of climate change for, and on, their business and recognizes a high level, contextual knowledge of environmental issues. The index also exlcudes companies violating international norms, are involved with controversial weapons, tobacco, thermal coal, civilian firearms, military equipment, and unconventional oil and gas. 

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 norms-based Screening assessment, or are involved in Controversial Weapons, as identified by ISS ESG are not eligible for selection. Tobacco Producers are also excluded. Furthermore, STOXX will exclude companies that ISS ESG assesses to have significant obstruction in the following UN SDGs: SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water and SDG 15 Life On Land.

The weighing process follows an optimization process to keep the tracking error less than on equal to 1.5% compared to the parent indes while meeting the minimum requirements detailed in the regulation. 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.