Inside Nasdaq's Award-Winning Sustainability Reporting

Investor relations (IR) is a strategic management function that integrates finance, communication, marketing and compliance.

IR Impact focuses on providing insights and data for IR professionals across the globe and recently held its IR Impact Awards – US 2026, which recognised leading IR practitioners from across the US.

Nasdaq was recognised for best sustainability reporting at the ceremony.

The IR Impact Awards

The awards, which were held at the Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City, celebrated the work of professionals across 32 categories.

These awards were split into two categories – researched and nominated – which recognise companies that are leading the way in IR.

The winners of the best overall investor relations and best IR professional awards were admitted into the IR Impact Hall of Fame, which is an exclusive organisation for best-in-class IR teams.

Winners included Newmont Corporation, the world’s largest gold mining company, which took home the awards for best overall investor relations (large cap) and best in sector for materials.

Etsy won recognition for best IR website, with its Senior Director of Investor Relations, Sarah Marx, receiving the rising star award.

Laurie Havelock, Editor at IR Impact, said on LinkedIn: “I say this every year but it’s a real honour and delight to recognise so many varied and talented IR professionals each year.

“We had so many new companies among the nominees and winners in 2026, a real testament to the power of innovation in the profession.”

Sustainability reporting award

Nasdaq, which is the second largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalisation, was recognised at the awards.

It won the award for best sustainability reporting (large cap), celebrating its expertise in transparency, regulations, risk management and data-driven reporting.

The company’s Sustainability Services division has published a guide on effective sustainability reporting, focusing on how companies can get the most value from their reporting.

It explains that companies should prioritise reporting to increase transparency, which builds credibility with customers who increasingly support brands that are aligned with their values.

Nasdaq says companies are more likely to attract long-term investors if they demonstrate environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Its guide advises on key elements that should be included in a sustainability report: 

• Environmental metrics, including emissions, energy usage, water use and waste management
• Social metrics such as DEI, health and safety and community engagement
• Governance metrics, including board structure and ethics.

Nina Eisenman, VP, Head of Corporate Sustainability Strategy and Reporting at Nasdaq, writes on LinkedIn: “Feeling incredibly honoured to have received the ‘Best Sustainability Reporting, Large Cap’ award on behalf of Nasdaq at the 2026 IR Impact Awards last night at Cipriani 25.

“Congratulations as well to our fellow nominees – Moody’s, JP Morgan Chase, Mastercard, Expand Energy Corp and Axon Enterprise – whose exceptional sustainability reporting continues to raise the bar, particularly in a challenging and evolving environment.

“This recognition is truly a team effort. I’m deeply appreciative of my team for their dedication and partnership. Proud of what we’ve built together – and energized for what’s ahead!”

Sustainability, procurement and supply chain leaders won’t want to miss Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit, taking place at Navy Pier, Chicago, on April 21–22.

Co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, the event unites senior decision-makers at a time when supply chains, sustainability and business performance are more interdependent than ever.

Secure your place now for The US Summit – group booking discounts available.

Nasdaq’s sustainability goals

In Nasdaq’s own sustainability report, it discusses its climate strategy, which involves its carbon net zero programme and its carbon neutrality programme.

Its target is to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 100 and reduce Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030, compared to a 2022 baseline.

It also aims to source 100% renewable electricity annually by 2030.

Its near- and long-term science-based emission reduction targets were first approved by the SBTi in 2022.

Through its strategy, Nasdaq aims to engage suppliers in its value chain to report their greenhouse gas emissions and encourage them to set their own science-based targets.