The FINANCIAL — Bayer remains “best in class” in sustainability. This is demonstrated by the company's renewed inclusion in both the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index. Bayer has been listed continuously in the DJSI World since its inception in 1999.
“That Bayer continues to be listed in the two important sustainability indices represents confirmation and recognition of our endeavors in the field of sustainability,” said Professor Wolfgang Plischke, the member of Bayer AG’s Board of Management responsible for Innovation, Technology and Sustainability. “I am particularly pleased about our excellent ranking in the area of innovation management because innovation is the lifeblood of our company and also the driver of sustainability.”
The evaluation of corporate sustainability performance is performed on behalf of the index provider Dow Jones by the Swiss rating agency SAM. Alongside innovation management, central categories assessed include responsible corporate governance, environmental management and performance, human resources policy and supplier and customer relations.
Inclusion in the DJSI World and DJSI Europe is based on the “best in class” principle: only the best companies in their sector qualify – it is not sufficient for companies purely to meet basic economic, ecological and social criteria. The DJSI World lists the top 10 percent of the world's 2,500 largest listed companies (Dow Jones Global Index). As Bayer AG reported, the best 20 percent of Europe's 600 largest listed companies qualify for the DJSI Europe.
Institutional investors who place particular value on sustainability use the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices as a guide for their investment decisions. The assets under management in DJSI-based portfolios currently total around US$6 billion.
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