ICE Data Indices Granted Recognition by ESMA Under EU Benchmarks Regulation

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Key Terms

esma regulatory

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is the EU agency that sets rules and supervises fairness and transparency for financial markets across Europe. Think of it as a referee and rule-maker who aims to protect investors, reduce market abuse, and ensure companies and exchanges follow consistent standards; its guidance can affect trading rules, disclosure requirements, and investor confidence, which in turn can influence stock prices and capital flows.

eu benchmarks regulation regulatory

A set of EU rules that governs how financial benchmarks — the indexes or reference numbers used to price loans, investments and funds — are created, managed and overseen. Think of it as rules for a common yardstick: it forces benchmark providers to follow clear procedures, reduces the risk of manipulation, and gives investors confidence that prices and valuations tied to those benchmarks are reliable and subject to official oversight.

third country benchmark administrator regulatory

An organization based outside the relevant regulatory area that produces and maintains financial benchmarks — numbers like interest rates, indexes or commodity prices used to value securities and settle contracts. Think of it as the scorekeeper whose numbers many market participants rely; investors care because the administrator’s oversight, transparency and legal status affect whether those benchmark figures are trustworthy, available for use in regulated markets, and enforceable in contracts.

climate transition benchmarks technical

Climate transition benchmarks are standardized measures that show how well a company, fund, or index is moving from a high-carbon business model toward lower greenhouse gas emissions over time. Think of them as a pace chart for decarbonization: they let investors compare progress across firms, spot which holdings may face higher regulatory or market risk, and decide whether a portfolio is likely to benefit or suffer as the economy shifts to cleaner energy.

paris-aligned benchmarks technical

A Paris-aligned benchmark is a financial index designed to steer investments toward the greenhouse gas reduction goals of the Paris Agreement by tracking a set of companies that collectively follow a carbon-reduction trajectory consistent with those goals. For investors it acts like a climate compass: it lets funds and portfolios compare performance against a low‑warming pathway, helps manage transition and reputational risk, and provides a transparent yardstick when choosing or reporting on climate-focused investments.

esg screening criteria technical

ESG screening criteria are a set of clear, repeatable rules used to evaluate companies on environmental, social, and governance factors—like pollution, labor practices, or board independence. Investors use these criteria as filters, similar to choosing products by features, to include or exclude companies from portfolios based on risk, ethical preferences, or regulatory exposure, which can affect returns, reputation, and long-term resilience.

carbon reduction methodology technical

A carbon reduction methodology is a documented, repeatable approach companies use to measure, plan and verify cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions—like a recipe that spells out the steps, measurements and checks needed to reduce a company’s climate footprint. Investors care because it translates environmental commitments into expected costs, savings and measurable outcomes, helping assess regulatory exposure, operational efficiency, reputational risk and the likely impact on future cash flow and long‑term value.

net zero carbon emissions technical

Net zero carbon emissions means a company or organization balances the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases it releases with the amount it removes or cancels out, so its overall contribution to the atmosphere is zero. Investors care because reaching net zero can reduce future regulatory costs, protect against climate-related disruptions, and signal long-term planning and reputation management—like a business balancing its books to avoid mounting unpaid obligations.

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06/08/2026 - 08:30 AM

ATLANTA & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), one of the world’s leading providers of financial market technology and data powering global capital markets, today announced that the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has granted recognition to ICE Data Indices (IDI) as a third country benchmark administrator under Article 32 of the EU Benchmarks Regulation (EU BMR).

This important recognition decision means that the 100 Climate Transition and Paris-Aligned Benchmarks currently offered by IDI remain available for use by ‘supervised entities’ in the European Union.

The IDI Climate Transition and Paris-Aligned Benchmarks form part of the Climate Index series (“Climate Indices”) offered by IDI which is a range of fixed income indices that incorporate ESG screening criteria along with a carbon reduction methodology to meet our clients’ demand for indices that support the transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Climate Indices represent different currencies and emissions metrics, and include indices such as the:

ICE Euro Corporate Climate Transition CTB Index (ER00CTB)
ICE Sterling Corporate Climate Transition Absolute Emissions CTB Index (UR00CTBA)
ICE Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Paris-Aligned Absolute Emissions PAB Index (EMCBPABA)
ICE US High Yield Paris-Aligned PAB Index (H0A0PAB)
ICE Global Corporate Paris-Aligned Absolute Emissions PAB Index (G0BCPABA)

“With the ongoing demand for responsible and sustainable investing, the goal of carbon reduction has become even more important for investors,” said Preston Peacock, Head of ICE Data Indices. “Receiving this recognition from ESMA expands our reach and further supports our efforts to continue helping investors make more informed decisions to achieve their emission reduction goals.”

IDI administers a number of other benchmarks which are not currently in scope of the EU Benchmarks Regulation.

In addition to being recognized by ESMA, IDI is also recognized as a third country benchmark administrator by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority.

ICE is a leading provider of indices, with over $2 trillion total assets under management benchmarked to ICE Indices, and a deep expertise administering and publishing indices used throughout global markets. Its broad offering includes over 8,000 global equity, fixed income, commodity and foreign exchange indices to support benchmarking and performance measurement by investors, backed by a 50-year track record.

For more information about ICE indices, visit https://www.ice.com/fixed-income-data-services/index-solutions/fixed-income-indices.

For more information about ICE’s corporate climate indices, please visit: Sustainability Indices.

About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds, and operates digital networks that connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes helping our customers access mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and efficiency. ICE’s futures, equity, and options exchanges -- including the New York Stock Exchange -- and clearing houses help people invest, raise capital and manage risk. We offer some of the world’s largest markets to trade and clear energy and environmental products. Our fixed income, data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers streamline processes and capitalize on opportunities. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming U.S. housing finance, from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration and the long-term servicing relationship. Together, ICE transforms, streamlines, and automates industries to connect our customers to opportunity.

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading “Key Information Documents (KIDS).”

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on February 5, 2026.

Category: Fixed Income and Data Services

SOURCE: Intercontinental Exchange