A STUDY ON STOCK EXCHANGES & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainability and Sustainable Development have emerged as the most important goals of the world today. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals, while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. They provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to adopt in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world at large. The overarching goal of sustainability has led to a growing pressure on nations and various stakeholders in meeting the SDGs. Stock Exchanges play a key role in determining the health of a business and economy. They provide a central point for the interaction between investors, companies, policymakers and regulators. The stock exchanges recognizing this have evolved to meet the SDG's through developing sustainability indices and incorporating sustainability reporting and practices. The Article aims at the study of the evolution of stock exchanges in the movement towards sustainable development and the development of sustainable indices and practices