Sustainability recognized

Reynolds American Inc. said on Thursday that the company has been recognized again as a leader in corporate sustainability by being awarded membership in the 2016-2017 Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index, effective September 8.

‘This is the third consecutive year, and eighth out of the last nine years, that RAI has been recognized as a leader in corporate sustainability efforts,’ the company said in a note posted on its website.

‘In addition, this is the first year that RAI has attained the DJSI World designation for the top-performing tobacco company worldwide.

‘The index is used by many investment portfolio managers when making investment decisions.

‘Companies are selected based on an extensive evaluation of many criteria, including corporate governance, risk management, energy consumption, supply chain standards and human resources development.’

Meanwhile, Japan Tobacco Inc. said on Friday that it had been selected for the third consecutive year for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific Index (DJSI Asia/Pacific), the index for socially responsible investment (SRI).

JT said the DJSI was a collaborative initiative by S&P Dow Jones Indices of the US and RobecoSAM of Switzerland that assessed the sustainability performance of companies, based on economic, environmental and social criteria.

‘From among approximately 600 major companies in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, 146 companies (68 Japanese companies) were named to the DJSI Asia/Pacific this year,’ JT said in a note posted on its website.

‘In accordance with the management principles of the JT Group, we strive to fulfill our responsibilities to our valued consumers, shareholders, employees and the wider society, carefully considering the respective interests of these four key stakeholder groups, and exceeding their expectations wherever we can.

‘With this in mind, we carry out various initiatives in countries where we operate, and will continue to contribute to the societies’ sustainability through the businesses.’