The Volvo Group last week announced it was included in the most recent Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. The 2,500 largest companies worldwide are ranked on the basis of their strategy and results in such areas as corporate ethics, environmental consideration and social criteria, with the focus on their ability to create sustainable value. The 300 highest-ranked companies, in no specific order, are included in DJSI World.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Index annual survey assesses such issues as corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labor practices. The Volvo Group received a favorable assessment for the manner in which it manages environmental issues, labor practices and corporate governance. The group also received a high ranking for its efforts to comply with the Group’s Code of Conduct and anti-corruption policy.
“Sustainability issues span a variety of activities in the group and what we are seeing today is the result of long-term work focusing on integrating corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues into our strategy and our day-to-day operations,” said Olof Persson, president and CEO of the Volvo Group. “I regard the results we achieved in DJSI World as confirmation that we are working with the right things.”
An increased number of funds worldwide are investing primarily in operations and companies that focus on ethical business behavior and sustainability.
“Long-term investors are focusing increasingly on ensuring that the companies they invest in pursue strategic sustainability efforts,” said Christer Johansson, vice president investor relations at the Volvo Group.
Headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden, the Volvo Group is a leading manufacturer of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications and aerospace components.