SHFE becomes China's first commodity exchange to join UNSSE

Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) and its subsidiary Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE) have become the first commodity exchanges in the Chinese mainland to join the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UNSSE) Initiative, SHFE's Chairman Tian Xiangyang announced during the 2025 Shanghai Derivatives Market Forum on Thursday.

Launched in 2009, the UNSSE is jointly managed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, and the UN Principles for Responsible Investment.

Apart from enhancing communication and collaboration among exchanges and other market participants, the UNSSE is also projected to promote best practices in supporting sustainable development and improving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. By encouraging sustainable investments, the UNSSE aims to give financing support to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As of this date, the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group, the London Stock Exchange, the Singapore Exchange, the Japan Exchange Group, and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange have all joined the UNSSE.

By joining the UNSSE, SHFE and INE can strengthen international cooperation in green finance and refer to global ESG best practices, which is conducive to their goals of growing into world-class exchanges. On the other hand, the two exchanges can also provide China's experiences in reaching sustainable goals, helping to elevate the influence of the Chinese futures market, said industry insiders.