The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) and the Shanghai International Energy Exchange (INE) have become the first commodity futures exchanges in mainland China to join the united Nations sustainable stock Exchanges (UN SSE) initiative. This move signals a commitment to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the nation’s financial markets.

The declaration was made by SHFE Chairman Tian Xiangyang at the 2025 Shanghai Derivatives Market Forum, highlighting a strategic shift towards sustainability within China’s derivatives sector.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

By joining the UN SSE, both SHFE and INE have pledged to implement international ESG best practices and support the Sustainable development Goals (sdgs). This commitment aligns with China’s broader financial reform agenda, particularly in promoting green finance, digital finance, and inclusive growth, as emphasized during China’s central Financial Work conference.

“This is a significant step forward for SHFE and INE.”

The UN SSE, established in 2009, fosters collaboration among global exchanges to enhance ESG clarity and encourage sustainable investment.The inclusion of SHFE and INE brings significant influence from Asia’s commodity and energy sectors, enriching the initiative’s scope and impact.

Expanding Sustainable Finance

The membership of SHFE and INE underscores China’s increasing role in global ESG adoption and broadens the reach of sustainable finance into areas such as derivatives and energy trading, which have been traditionally underrepresented in ESG initiatives.