LONDON, Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- British American
Tobacco (BAT), is pleased to announce today that it has been listed
in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the
18th consecutive year – and has once again been named as
industry leader in its most prestigious World Index.
Created jointly by S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM, the
DJSI represents the gold standard for tracking corporate
sustainability performance of the world's largest companies.
BAT achieved best industry scores in 11 of the 21 categories,
including Supply Chain Management, Human Rights, and Labour
Practice Indicators; highlighting the company's commitment to
respecting the rights of our employees, the people we work with and
the communities in which we operate.
The company has also achieved a maximum 100 per cent rating in
four categories, including Environmental Reporting, Environmental
Policy and Management Systems and Operational Eco-Efficiency, as
well as a score of 98 in Climate Strategy; a credit to BAT's
efforts in promoting excellence in environmental management.
Commenting on the news, Simon
Cleverly, Group Head of Corporate Affairs at British
American Tobacco, said:
"At BAT, our world-class sustainability agenda continues to be
at the heart of our business strategy. Our position in the DJSI
World Index is testament to our commitment to transforming our
company by offering adult consumers an innovative range of
potentially reduced-risk products. It also recognises our
commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate conduct
in every country we operate in around the world.
We are incredibly proud to be included in such a prestigious
index which recognises only those publicly traded companies which
are in the world's top 10% for ESG performance."
Also commenting, Manjit Jus, Head
of ESG Ratings, RobecoSAM, said:
"We congratulate British American Tobacco PLC for being included
in the DJSI World and Europe. The
SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment has again raised the bar in
identifying those companies best-positioned to address future
sustainability challenges and opportunities. This year – which
marks the 20th anniversary of the DJSI – record corporate interest
in the SAM CSA reflects the enduring relevance of the DJSI for
measuring and advancing ESG practices."
Notes to editors
Launched in 1999, the DJSI represents "the global standard for
measuring and advancing corporate environmental, social and
governance (ESG) practices"[1]. The methodology used measures
companies' adherence to the sustainable business principles they
advocate and communicate to investors and other stakeholders.
The indices include the World Index; regional indices for
Europe, North America and Asia Pacific; and an Emerging Markets
Index.
Each year, over 3,500 publicly traded companies are invited to
participate in the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA).
DJSI includes the World Index and three regional indices for
Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Only the top 10% achieve
inclusion in the World Index.
BAT is the only tobacco company to feature in the prestigious
World Index and Europe Index.
@BATPress
[1] https://assessments.robecosam.com/documents/DJSI_PressRelease%202019_Results_EN.pdf