How Nasdaq Empowers Communities Through Sustainable Finance

Financial services company Nasdaq operates the world’s first electronic stock market, offering trading and technology services across 18 markets.

The company has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, which highlights its progress in environmental stewardship, community support and governance.

The report focuses on Nasdaq’s Future Forward approach, aligning its work with the challenges of the global financial system.

Nasdaq’s sustainability strategy

Nasdaq aims to minimise its environmental footprint and protect its business from long-term climate risks.

Its climate strategy is driven by two programmes: 

• Carbon net zero programme
• Carbon neutrality programme

Its net zero programme focuses on the absolute reduction of Nasdaq’s emissions across its value chain, guided by its science-based targets.

In 2025, Nasdaq achieved its carbon neutrality goal for the seventh year.

This programme addresses its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions through purchasing 100% renewable electricity and investing in carbon credits.

Nasdaq’s overall target, validated by the SBTi, is to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050.

Nina Eisenman, Vice President, Head of Corporate Sustainability Strategy and Reporting at Nasdaq, says: “Our approach to sustainability is focused on creating lasting value and is grounded in Nasdaq’s purpose to empower economic opportunity. 

“We see sustainability not as a separate function, but as integral to our role as a trusted partner to our clients and a foundational part of the financial system.”

Environmental action

Across its global facilities, Nasdaq focuses on waste reduction, recycling and compost diversion.

It is building processes that centre around reducing waste, recycling unwanted items and equipment, reusing products and sustainably procuring products throughout its office space lifecycle.

In 2025, Nasdaq trialled an AI-powered waste management and reduction programme in its New York office.

It used waste intelligence platform Spare-It to help measure and report on its waste.

The system allows Nasdaq to track its recycling and composting and find opportunities for operational efficiencies.

Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO of Nasdaq, says: “As a leading technology platform powering the world’s economies, Nasdaq’s focus is on serving as the trusted fabric of the financial system.

“That means we are Future Forward – architecting the world’s modern markets, powering the innovation economy and building trust in the system.

“This past year reinforced our conviction that innovation is not about reacting to disruption, but about designing durable solutions the global financial system can depend on over time.”

Supporting communities

Nasdaq aims to empower economic opportunity within the communities where it operates.

Its Purpose@Work Corporate Responsibility Programme provides eligible full and part-time employees with two paid days off each year to volunteer.

It matches charitable donations from all employees and contractors up to US$1,000 per year.

In 2025, Nasdaq’s employees contributed more than US$580,000, supporting more than 800 charities worldwide.

Its employees also volunteered more than 7,000 hours in 2025 to support organisations around the world.

Adena says: “As we look ahead, our commitment remains clear: to advance sustainable growth, deliver transparent, measurable impact and create long-term value that endures beyond the next cycle.

“The choices we make today – the technologies we modernise, the infrastructure we strengthen, the talent we cultivate – are investments in a future that is more secure and connected for all our stakeholders.”