SA listings on 2014 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices

Andrew Koenig, CEO of Redefine Properties

They are Anglo American Platinum, AngloGold Ashanti, Aspen Pharmacare, Barloworld, Goldfields, Growthpoint, Imperial Holdings, Investec, Mediclinic, Naspers, Netcare, Pick n Pay, Redefine Properties, Sanlam, Standard Bank and Woolworths.

Launched in 1999, the indices track the financial performances of leading sustainability-driven companies globally, enabling investors to integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios, while encouraging companies to adopt sustainable best practices.

Dow Jones contracts RobecoSAM, an investment specialist focused on sustainability investing, to compile the DJSI. The index is composed of emerging market sustainability leaders as identified by RobecoSAM through a corporate sustainability assessment. The index aims to represent the top 10% of the largest 800 companies in emerging markets based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. This year, there are 86 organisations from 37 industries in 12 countries.

David Blitzer, MD and Chairman of the S&P Dow Jones Index Committee, says, "Both the importance and the understanding of sustainability has grown dramatically over the past decade-and-a-half. During that time, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices have been established as the leading benchmark in the field."

Pick n Pay back for second time

Pick n Pay's ongoing commitment to incorporating sustainable practices throughout its operations, has been acknowledged for the second time.

Andre Nel, GM for Sustainability at Pick n Pay, says, "The company's inclusion underscores the consistent commitment it has towards sustainability. We are committed to minimising our environmental impact by decreasing carbon emissions, improving energy and water- efficiency and lowering our environmental impact."

Pick n Pay is currently the leading retailer across Africa in the global Carbon Disclosure Project. In 2010, the retailer set a target to reduce carbon emissions by 15% by 2015. This target was met ahead of the 2015 target date and, measured against the company's 2010 baseline of stores; its emissions have already been reduced by 19.4%.

Redefine Properties debuts on list

Redefine Properties is pleased to announce that it has been selected as an index component of the DJSI in recognition of its corporate sustainability leadership in the property industry. It is one of only five companies in the real estate sector across a dozen emerging markets included in the index.

Andrew Koenig, CEO of Redefine Properties comments, "We have come a long way in our sustainability journey and more and more we are putting our commitment to sustainability into action. Our inclusion in the DJSI supports this and can give investors confidence that sustainability is a business imperative for the company."

He explains the index serves as a benchmark for investors who integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios. "This puts the company in a strong position to attract funds from capital owners who want to invest in sustainable businesses."

Redefine's results outperformed the Emerging Markets Index's real estate industry average overall, as well as for all three dimensions measured: economic, environmental and social.

RobecoSAM Sustainability Investing considers climate change and energy efficiency of great importance for the real estate industry, as buildings are responsible for about one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, low-energy buildings that use innovative materials reduce the impact of volatile energy prices on the cost of management and ownership of a property. This results in high demand for green buildings.

It also notes that, in addition to environmental issues, social responsibility and social integration are gaining importance in this industry. In the current volatile economic environment, community engagement and investments in areas surrounding properties are receiving increased attention to maintain asset values high and remain the preferred property owner for tenants.

For more information, go to www.djindexes.com/sustainability.