SIX, the Swiss stock market regulator, has created the 1.5°C Climate Equity flag to help Swiss-listed companies validate their efforts toward limiting global warming to the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. This initiative enables organizations to strengthen their commitment to reducing emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
SIX has chosen us as an approved reviewer for the initiative that launched in August 2024. We are tasked with checking whether Swiss-listed companies applying for the voluntary flag meet all its requirements.
Candidates must submit an Emission Plan for our sustainability experts to assess through a forward-looking review leading to a confirmation opinion. If successful, you can publish our assessment report on your website. The flag is valid for one year and must be renewed annually with an updated confirmation.
As one of only two reviewers approved by SIX*, the organization has placed a deep amount of trust in our sustainability experience. The SGS-SIX partnership further demonstrates our expertise in measuring, assessing, reporting and monitoring all aspects of sustainability, including climate, nature preservation, circularity and environmental, social and governance (ESG) assurance.
*As of launch in August 2024.
With over 30 years of leadership in sustainability, we are at the forefront of best practices and international standards development. Our industry-spanning experts deliver a vast range of sustainability assurance services, empowering you to establish a sustainable business model with confidence and credibility.
SIX provides and operates stable and efficient infrastructure for the Swiss and Spanish financial centers, ensuring access to the capital markets, and the flow of information and money between financial market players.
As a global provider of financial information, SIX delivers high-quality reference, pricing, corporate actions and ESG data, alongside providing regulatory services and indices to clients worldwide.
SIX introduced the flag to help investors identify companies whose existing business models and future plans align with limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Any SIX Swiss Exchange-listed company can apply for the voluntary flag.
To earn the flag, a company must provide SIX with confirmation from an approved reviewer, such as SGS, that it meets all the flag requirements.
The requirements consist of three assessments:
SIX has defined the criteria based on established sustainability principles and the scientific consensus on climate science according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The emerging accordance among widely used methodologies and standards is reflected. These mainly include the Carbon Disclosure Project Assessing Low-Carbon Transition (CDP ACT) initiative, Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), UN Race to Zero Starting Line Criteria and WFE Green Equity Principles (2023).
SIX continuously observes developments in this field and will refine its framework when necessary to ensure it remains current and effective.
As an approved reviewer, we can confirm whether a Swiss-listed company meets all relevant requirements.
The flag is valid for one year and must be renewed annually with an updated confirmation.
The flag was launched in August 2024.