SAP scores top marks in Dow Jones sustainability index

The index – which was launched in 1999 to track the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide – this year reviewed the social, economic and environmental aspects of 34 software companies. Compared with the 2008 rankings, SAP improved in all three and also had sector-leading scores in 12 of the 20 key parameters – including operational eco-efficiency (100%), brand management, people development, corporate citizenship and codes of conduct. SAP also received a 100% score for its environmental reporting, driven by its own online sustainability report. This will be very good news for SAP's big cheeses, who announced an increased strategic focus on sustainability for this year – involving managing its internal operations in a sustainable way and delivering solutions that support users' sustainable business practices. As part of its focus, SAP committed to reducing its carbon footprint to year-2000 levels by 2020, representing a near 50% reduction from the organisation's 2007 carbon emissions.