Garanti Qualifies For Dow Jones Emerging Markets Sustainability Index

- Garanti Bank became the only Turkish company to qualify for the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index, according to the Turkish lender owned by Spain’s BBVA.

Having qualified for the Borsa Istanbul (BIST) Sustainability Index and the BIST Corporate Governance Index last year, “Garanti proved once again that it successfully integrated sustainability into all of its activities and banking operations by further qualifying to be a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index,” read a statement by the bank on Oct. 1.

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 percent of the largest 800 companies in 23 emerging markets based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria.

“Garanti Bank defines sustainability as a commitment to build a strong and successful business model ready for the future. We go beyond minimizing negative environmental and social impacts and aim to create long-term value for all our stakeholders,” said Garanti Bank’s CEO Fuat Erbil, while commenting on the issue.

“We have always focused on long lasting success rather than focusing on today alone. We have participated in several sustainability initiatives in the past few years and have been recognized both in Turkey and within emerging markets for our leading practices. We are very proud to become a member of Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which is one of the best-in-class indices tracking the performance of companies that integrate ESG component into their core business.”

The bank said the qualification for the index would be highly valued by stakeholders.

The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index was launched in 1999 as a global sustainability benchmark.