Volkswagen in sustainability rankings and indices

As analysts and investors view corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability performance as leading indicators of forward-looking corporate leadership, they also increasingly base their recommendations and decisions on companies’ CSR and sustainability profile. Sustainability ratings are particularly well suited to evaluating a company’s environmental, social and economic performance. If a company achieves the highest scores in these ratings, this sends a clear signal to its stakeholders and also raises its attractiveness as an employer and the motivation of its existing employees.

In 2014, Volkswagen again ranked very highly in the most important international rankings and corresponding indices, obtaining a leading position in its sector. In RobecoSAM AG’s sustainability ranking, the Group was listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World and the DJSI Europe again in 2014. RobecoSAM AG examines performance in the field of economic, environmental and social sustainability. Volkswagen was named the best in its industry in the categories of brand management, innovation management, climate strategy and compliance, among others. In the machinery and electrical equipment sector, MAN was once more the only German company to be represented in the DJSI World and DJSI Europe. MAN improved its performance with regard to social factors in 2014, scoring particularly highly in the areas of environmental management, risk management and compliance.

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) awarded 99 out of a possible 100 points for disclosure and an A-rating for performance in acknowledgement of the Volkswagen Group’s environmental activities. On the basis of these outstanding results, we were again included in both the CDP Global 500 Climate Performance Leadership Index and the CDP Global 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. MAN also received top marks from the CDP in the industrials sector for its commitment in implementing its climate strategy. Earning 97 out of 100 points and an A-rating, MAN was likewise included in both leadership indices.

In addition to the indices shown in the table in chapter “Share key figures”, Volkswagen was represented in the following sustainability indices as of December 31, 2014: CDP Supplier Climate Performance Leadership Index, ECPI Ethical Index Europe, ECPI Ethical Index EMU, ECPI Ethical Index Global, Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Global, Ethibel Sustainability Index Excellence Europe, Euronext-Vigeo Eurozone 120 Index, Global Compact 100 and STOXX Global ESG Environmental Leaders Index, STOXX Global ESG Social Leaders Index, STOXX Global ESG Governance Leaders Index.

RESULTS OF THE RobecoSAM 2014 ASSESSMENT
in percent