Euronext launches world-first national gender equality index

Euronext has launched the world’s first national gender equality index, marking the latest addition to the exchange group’s growing environmental, social and governance (ESG) product suite.

The European exchange group said the two lists are the “first pillars of a broader family of indices addressing challenges around gender balance in the workplace”.

Camille Leca, head of ESG at Euronext, said in a statement: “The launch of these indices is representative of Euronext’s corporate culture and values. Our company is diverse and inclusive by nature, and we see all forms of diversity as a key success factor of our federal model. We constantly innovate in our products and services offering to meet investors’ strong demand and need to carry out their ESG transition.”

Leca added: “As a market infrastructure, our role is to propose products to direct investment to ESG projects and, in this case, companies leading the way in gender equality performance.”

The indices have been compiled by Euronext and Equileap, a specialist index provider that monitors listed firm’s gender equality from its boardroom through to its supply chain.

The listed firms are rated for their gender equality across four areas: gender balance in leadership and workforce; equal compensation and work-life balance; policies promoting gender equality; and commitment, transparency and accountability.

The Euronext Equileap Gender Equality France 40 includes blue chip firms such as Amundi, L’Oreal, LVMH, Societe Generale and Vivendi.

Euronext said the new indices reflect the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal No.5, which mandates gender equality, and follows the group’s established indices which seek promote various UN goals referencing biodiversity, hydrogen, water and social equality.

The chief executive of Euronext Stephane Boujnah said last month the group’s move to a new, green data centre in Bergamo, Italy will open up new opportunities for the firm.

The European exchange launched on May 30 its CAC 40 ESG index future, the group's first derivative based on a national ESG index.

LSE-owned data firm Refinitiv launched in 2016 its Diversity & Industry (D&I) Index which ranks the top 100 listed companies globally with the most diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Accenture was ranked in September 2022 as the number one firm in the Refinitiv D&I index for the third year running.