2013 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices Released

Yesterday, the 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) was released by RobecoSAM and S&P Dow Jones Indices. Originally launched in 1999, the DJSI tracks the financial and sustainability performance of the 2,500 largest companies of the S&P Global Broad Market Index. Using a combined valuation of economic, social and environmental criteria, the DJSI focuses on assessing long-term shareholder value.

The DJSI company selection criteria uses a “best-in-class approach” that targets sustainability leaders in 59 designated industries. This best-in-class approach creates competition among companies to be included in the DJSI and ultimately drives sustainability improvements among top organizations. According to this year’s report, top performers in their industries for 2013 include Volkswagen, Nestlé, Citigroup, Siemens, Air France, and Panasonic.

With the emergence of the DJSI and other sustainable investing guidelines and indices, there has been increased focus from investors on Corporate Responsibility in the firms in which they invest. The amount of capital that sustainable investors control continues to grow; and as a result, so does their influence. For more information on sustainable investing, read one of our most recent white papers, Financing Our Future – How Sustainable Investing is Shaping the Face of Business.

Now more than ever, leadership in sustainability provides tangible value to corporations. Between process and product innovations, reduced costs and material certainty, and public support and market positioning, companies that pioneer sustainability perform better than their competitors. Adopting Corporate Responsibility as a business strategy is the key to becoming an industry leader and ensuring future viability of your organization. Learn more about Empowering Business through Corporate Responsibility here.

 – Tad Radzinski, PE, LEED AP, SFP