ANZ has been ranked the most sustainable bank globally in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), and the only Australian company to be named a DJSI Global Super Sector Leader this year.
ANZ achieved a rating of 89 per cent, a score 37 per cent higher than the sector average for banks worldwide, an ANZ spokesperson said.
“This independent assessment, against more than 100 banks globally, shows that while we are managing some difficult issues, the fundamentals of our business remain strong,” ANZ chief executive Mike Smith said.
ANZ is now looking at ways to adapt some of its successful corporate responsibility initiatives to its operations in the Asia Pacific, as it aims to become a more significant regional financial services institution, Smith said.
Prior to ANZ taking the title for the first time last year, Westpac bank held the title for five consecutive years.
Since 1999, the DJSI has assessed the top 10 per cent of the largest 2500 companies in the Dow Jones World Index.
The annual DJSI review is based on analysis of corporate, economic, environmental and social performance, assessing factors such as corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation and supply chain standards.
