"By providing a simple and user-friendly questionnaire, TASE helps companies taking their first steps in the field to align with international standards, implement processes and make their ESG activities transparent."

TASE has released its first ESG questionnaire for TASE listed companies as a way to increase their ESG engagement and give investors better access to ESG-related information in line with international standards.

The move aims to increase the exposure of TASE listed companies to international ESG rating firms as well as more local and international investors. The questionnaires completed by TASE listed companies will enable TASE to develop other ESG indices in collaboration with international index editors.

Only 70 TASE listed companies have published full ESG reports

ESG consulting firm Good Vision helped TASE develop questionnaires designed to help companies that have not yet published ESG reports. Companies that choose to fill out the form will publish the questionnaire on their own website, thereby increasing their access to a wider range of local and international investors.

At the same time, the questionnaires and links submitted by the company will be posted on the dedicated ESG page of the TASE website.

According to the Israel Stock Exchange, only 70 TASE listed companies publish full ESG reports, compared to 90 percent of companies in the S&P 500 index.

TASE has three ESG indices: TA-125 Fossil Free, Cleantech and the established Maala Index. The goal is to launch more ESG indices in partnership with international index editors in the future, which will allow the public to invest in companies that publish full or concise ESG reports based on questionnaires. To date, 40 ETFs and tracking funds of local and international ESG indices have been traded on TASE with a market value of NIS 1.5 billion.

Greater access to foreign investors and international rating firms

Ivri Verbin, CEO of Good Vision and Chair of the Global Sustainability Forum, said: "In recent years, we have seen listed companies' ESG activities and disclosures become increasingly important in the consideration of regulators, customers and, above all, investors. By providing a simple and user-friendly questionnaire, TASE helps companies taking the first step in this field to align with international standards, implement processes and make their ESG activities transparent."

Hani Shitrit Bach, Executive Vice President and Head of Listing at TASE, said: "ESG has become an important and substantive consideration for institutional and private investors, especially foreign investors. The completed questionnaire will increase the exposure of TASE listed companies to foreign investors and international rating firms and enable TASE to develop more ESG indices in collaboration with international index editors. The values championed by ESG can further enhance economic performance and make a real contribution to the ability of each of us to ensure sustainable growth, protect the environment and create a more equal and equitable society."