OREANDA-NEWS. September 23, 2014. Deutsche Post DHL, the world's leading postal and logistics group, has been included in the leading sustainability index – the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).

The Group is listed in the DJSI World and DJSI Europe index as announced today by S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM AG. The international rating has been analyzing and measuring companies' sustainability activities and results according to strict standards since 1999 and, as a result, the index serves as a key guide for sustainability-focused investors.

In 2014, Deutsche Post DHL produced gains in each of the index's primary categories – economic, environment and social. In doing so, it raised its overall score by seven points to 76. The Group generated its strongest gains in the areas of corporate citizenship (+50), customer relationship management (+34) and stakeholder engagement (+28). In the environment category, it produced a further gain (+4) that boosted its existing high score even further.

"Our continued inclusion in one of the world's leading sustainability indices serves as affirmation of our philosophy of combining commercial success with responsible business activities," said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL. "As the leading player in our industry, we are more than aware of our social responsibility and our pace-setting role in our sector. It is for this very reason that our Strategy 2020 also focuses on having a value-creating relationship with all of our stakeholders. Our excellent scores in the key stakeholder-related categories demonstrate that we are taking the right approach."

This year, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index once again evaluated more than 1,800 companies. The requirements applied this year were toughened or modified in some categories, particularly those covering social and economic factors.

The world's leading postal and logistics group is also listed in other important sustainability indices in addition to the DJSI World and Europe Index. Since 2004, the company has been included in the FTSE4Good, which measures companies' sustainability against criteria in such areas as sustainable environmental standards, efforts to fight climate change or labor standards. In 2013, the Group was the only logistics company to be awarded the highest grade, "AAA", in both the MSCI Europe and Global. Deutsche Post DHL has also maintained a leading position in the CDP Global 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index for years. In addition to the rating agencies, other independent institutions analyze the Group's sustainability activities: Green Brands has awarded its environmental seal “Green Brands Germany” to the company's environmental protection program GoGreen. The Group also ranks 23rd among 70 international companies on the current Good Company Ranking prepared by Kirchhoff Consult. In comparison to its prior ranking in 2009 Deutsche Post DHL climbed by 19 places.