The Maldives Stock Exchange (MSE) is the first stock exchange in the world to achieve CarbonNeutral® company certification by working with The CarbonNeutral Company, a world leading provider of carbon reduction solutions, to measure and reduce its entire CO2 emissions.

The MSE measured the greenhouse gas emissions that it produced from the energy consumption, waste disposal, company owned and/or controlled vehicles, business travel and staff commuting and reduced these to net zero through carbon offsetting in accordance with the requirements of the CarbonNeutral Protocol.

Ibrahim Nasir, Chief Executive Officer, Maldives Stock Exchange, said “By adopting a leading environmental position within the financial services arena we hope to encourage listed companies within the stock exchange to also take action for the impact of their carbon emissions. Organisations that implement comprehensive carbon reduction programmes can enhance their corporate reputation by showing customers, staff and prospects that they are taking direct action against climate change.”

H.E Mohamed Nasheed, President of Maldives, explained, “A 1-meter rise in sea levels, which some climate scientists warn will happen if nothing is done to reduce carbon pollution, would be devastating for the Maldives. The government is doing everything we possibly can to remain here and that is why we have a plan to make the Maldives carbon neutral in ten years.”

Mohamed Aslam, Minister of Housing, Transport and Environment stated, “We applaud the work of the Maldives Stock Exchange as it is internationally leading its industry by taking responsibility for its carbon impact and helping to protect the Maldives.”

Rani Virdee, Managing Director Asia Pacific, The CarbonNeutral Company, said, “We would like to congratulate the MSE in becoming the first stock exchange in the world to be CarbonNeutral® certified. This innovative step taken by the MSE should highlight to other progressive organisations the importance of implementing carbon reduction programmes – to help protect the environment which in turn will enhance corporate reputation.”

Virdee continued, “Increasingly, investors and analysts are also looking at organisations’ carbon management activities when they value and invest in businesses. According to a recent Ernst & Young report (1), 43% of respondents believed that equity analysts are currently including climate change-related factors in the valuation of their company with a further 30% believe that analysts will incorporate climate change factors within the next five years - reducing carbon emissions is good for the environment and makes good business sense too.”