Apex Group has launched a new ESG benchmarking database for private markets.
The global financial services provider said it had collected, verified and examined private market ESG data from more than 400 GPs, 1,500 portfolio companies in more than 45 countries since 2019 to compile its new ESG Data as a Service (DaaS) platform.
The ESG DaaS database will include dozens of anonymized data points for peer comparison, including environmental and carbon footprints, disclosure and management of climate-related risks and opportunities, DE&I statistics, cybersecurity breaches and best practice, as well as revenue generation from green, sustainable or socially impactful products and services.
Apex Group said the new offering consists of four main solutions and will initially be available only to existing clients.
The solutions include ESG benchmarking index for private markets; tailored advisory services with granular sector benchmarking; regular market insights and research updates; and correlation of ESG and financial performance metrics.
ESG DaaS follows the launch of new solutions Impact Positive, EU Taxonomy and DEI Solutions as part of ESG Impact Month.
Joshua Brunert, global head of product development, ESG, at Apex Group commented: “When it comes to ESG, it is no longer acceptable for private markets investors to ‘mark their own homework’ in-house. Independent data assessment, verification and benchmarking is essential to ensure the integrity of ESG reporting and to drive positive change.
“Verified and accurate data underpins meaningful comparisons against international standards and to monitor change over time. With Apex Group’s pioneering ESG Data as a Service Solutions, private markets investors can now, for the first time, accurately compare ESG performance against their peers and sector.”
