Medtronic Inc has been named a member company in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the FTSE4Good Index Series. Abbott announced that it, too, was included on both Index for the seventh consecutive year.  

The DJSI World represents the top 10% of the largest 2500 companies in the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market. Medtronic says it was the largest addition to this year’s DJSI World index as measured by market capitalization. All changes to the DJSI World will become effective with the open of the stock markets on Sept  19, 2011.

“Medtronic’s inclusion on the DJSI World and FTSE4Good indices is an acknowledgment of the company’s exemplary sustainability practices,ʺ says Omar Ishrak, Medtronic chairman and CEO. “Through our initiatives that address environmental stewardship, chronic disease and other issues, Medtronic is helping society while creating long‐term sustainable value for all of our stakeholders.”

Abbott is one of only two U.S.-headquartered companies in its industry sector to be listed on both the North America and World Indexes. The company's overall score of 85% is significantly higher than the average score of 53% for other companies in the sector.

This year, Abbott achieved its highest-ever total score on the Index, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in citizenship and sustainability. This included recognition for the company's significant strides in R&D and innovation.

An example of one of Medtronic’s environmental policy successes is the company’s Global Print Policy. This program made a positive environmental impact and saved the company almost $18,000 a month at its Minneapolis and Saint Paul locations. According to the company, global implementation is expected to yield more than $6 million in annual savings when it is completed in 2011. For more information about the company’s programs, access the 2011 Medtronic Corporate Citizenship Update.

"Now more than ever, responsible businesses have an important role to play in helping to build healthy and thriving communities," says Katherine Pickus, divisional vice president, global citizenship, Abbott. "The combined financial, social and environmental performance of Abbott demonstrates that our business continues to have a positive impact on the world around us, building on our 123-year legacy."

The DJSI annual review considers sustainability leaders from each industry on a global and regional level, and involves thorough analyses of corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards, labor practices and related citizenship issues.

Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) are the first global indices tracking the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide. Today, the index family has approximately $8 billion in assets under management in a variety of financial products including mutual funds, separate accounts, notes and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). With approximately 60 licenses, the DJSI have been linked to financial products in 16 countries, an indication of investors’ increasing appetite to utilize the index as a means to reflect their sustainability convictions within their portfolios.

The FTSE4Good Index Series measures the performance of companies that meet globally recognized corporate responsibility standards, and facilitates the investment in those companies. It is calculated by the global index provider FTSE Group.