SUSTAINABILITY | 11.18.2020

What is the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and what does it measure?

Redacción MAPFRE

The DJSI is an index of the most socially responsible companies. It is also a benchmark for those companies that are most committed to society and the planet, and a key tool for investors who assess more than just a business’s income statement. MAPFRE once again appears in the index, with its environmental and social performance having been rated as outstanding.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Index, better known as the DJSI, was created in 1999 to recognize publicly traded companies’ best practices in the field of sustainability. It currently comprises 323 companies from every sector, which stand out for their exemplary performance in relation to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters.

For companies, being included in the DJSI not only means public recognition and high degree of acceptance by their stakeholders (for their best practices in this field), it also makes them a benchmark for many other firms that aspire to be part of this index and that want to improve their rating to be among the best companies in the world. It is also a key tool for investors, who find these companies attractive and trustworthy and value them for including policies of this kind in their strategy, the long-term profitability of which exceeds that of other organizations.

Ethics, climate and human rights

It is not easy to be admitted to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. To become part of this demanding ranking, companies must pass a rigorous assessment questionnaire with around 600 indicators that measure various criteria relating to their corporate governance, code of ethics and conduct, risk management, business and providers. Other aspects related to the environment are also studied—such as the development of products and programs that take better care of the planet and promote eco-efficiency—along with initiatives aimed at defending human rights, encouraging talent retention and financial inclusion and improving the health and well-being of employees.

The analysts at S&P Global—the world’s leading provider of indices—are responsible for verifying each of the indicators through a questionnaire that includes 100 questions on the companies’ environmental, social and governance performance. The companies are then rated on a scale of 1 to 100 points. They also examine public information that companies break down in their communications to analysts and investors. Only those who score highest in the ranking within their area of activity become part of the DJSI.

Sustainable by conviction

With a total score of 77 out of 100 (one more than in 2019), MAPFRE is once again included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the third consecutive year. The company has increased its environmental and social rating and has obtained the highest score (100 points) in the areas of customer relationship management, principles for sustainable insurance, social and environmental reporting and financial inclusion.

MAPFRE set more than 30 goals for 2021 to combat global challenges, such as the climate emergency and inequality. It does so as part of its commitment to sustainability and in line with its Sustainability Plan 2019–2021, a roadmap that sets out multiple projects to help the company achieve carbon neutrality, become a benchmark in the circular economy, promote women’s leadership and improve financial education, among other goals.