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SEC Adopts Guidelines On Sustainable Finance For Capital Market Operators

Ebuka Daniel

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted the Nigerian Sustainable Finance Principles (NSFP) as developed by the Financial Services Regulation Coordinating Committee (FSRCC) for the capital market.

This was contained in a statement released by the Commission in Abuja, weekend.

The regulator stated that the objectives of the SEC guidelines on NSFP are to stimulate a resilient, competitive and sustainable capital market that promotes economic development and improves the quality of life for all; improve corporate governance practices to ensure that the participants in the capital market operate in a transparent and sustainable manner; and nurture an environment that facilitates job creation and diversity, women empowerment, human rights protection, and access to affordable capital market products by the economically less privileged.

It would also contribute to efforts aimed at reducing global warming and other environmental footprints resulting from our activities and those of our stakeholders.

The Commission said the SEC guidelines and approach are principles based and therefore do not prescribe specific implementation requirements.

It, however, noted that these principles should be applied by each regulated entity in a manner that fits individual mandates, core values, and enterprise risk management framework.

The SEC noted that reporting enhances companies’ accountability for the effects of their social impacts which in turn fosters social responsibility in organizations and therefore enhances trust, while facilitating shared values on which to build a more cohesive society.

According to the SEC, “The Nigerian Capital Market plays a major role in the industrialization and economic development of Nigeria.

“However, the pursuance of these key objectives involves activities that give rise to a range of challenges including air and water pollution, climate change, water and natural resource scarcity, environmental degradation, growing population density and poverty.

“These externalities and other social impacts affect not only businesses but also the communities where they operate. Sustainable finance principles are guidelines developed to help address the impact of these externalities, ensure long term economic growth while safeguarding the environment and society.

“The primary objective is to achieve a balance in the pursuit of economic prosperity while ensuring environmental protection and social development.

“In implementing these principles, regulated entities are expected to: Establish the standards for their organization and be committed to it: They are to set the pace for the integration of the Principles into their organizational culture, such that the Board and Management are committed to sustainable finance and ensuring successful implementation.

“The entity’s commitment to the Principles should be demonstrated through policies and decisions and also ensure their supervised organizations do the same.

“They are also to establish sustainable operations approach by having a set of procedures that detail how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and related issues are managed and aligned with existing internal decision-making processes.

“Lastly, they are to ensure proper reporting: Regulated entities should ensure that appropriate reports are prepared detailing their progress and performance regarding their commitment to ESG guidelines.

Regulated Entities include Capital Market Operators (CMOs), Trade Groups, Self-Regulated Organizations (SROs) and Capital Trade Points.

The SEC stated that the guidelines on sustainable financial principles set out broad principles and recommendations for better practice in sustainable finance.

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