S&P Dow Jones Indices, in partnership with RobecoSam, announced the addition of Bank of America, Telefonica SA and BHP Billiton to the indices.
Companies are chosen for the indices based on an assessment of long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. As a result, Cisco Systems, PepsiCo and Royal Bank of Canada have been deleted from the list, effective 21 September 2015.
S&P Dow Jones Indices managing director and chairman of the index committee David Blitzer said: “More and more investors look at companies’ environmental policies and track records in making their investment decisions.
“The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices are comprehensive benchmarks that allow investors to gauge the collective performance of those companies.”
Companies listed on the indices are subject to an annual review by RobecoSam’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA).
The CSA reported that while companies successfully implement codes of conduct, they struggle with operational and eco-efficiency.
The least improved CSA criteria relative to last year were risk and crisis management, talent attraction and retention, and corporate governance.
RobecoSam head of indices Guido Giese said: “Thanks to its broad reach, the results of the CSA are one of the leading sources of information on how listed companies around the globe are exercising financially material ESG [environmental, social and governance] practices.”
