● For the 6th time the wholesale company is listed in the internationally important sustainability ranking
● METRO performed particularly strong in the areas of climate strategy, health & nutrition and GMO (genetically modified organisms)

Sustainability is a key element of METRO AG’s business model, as confirmed by the renewed listing in the sustainability ranking of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) in the ‘Food & Staples Retailing’ segment. Following new key questions for the rating and the sale of Real, METRO is once again evaluated positively and continues to be represented in the DJSI World as well as the DJSI Europe. Especially in the areas of climate strategy, GMO and health & nutrition, the wholesaler performed well.

Only 6 of the 41 retail companies assessed were able to qualify for the index at all – METRO has already been listed for the 6th time in a row. This is the result of this year’s sustainability ranking published in the USA on 13 November after the close of the stock market. METRO is thus further expanding its reputation as one of the world’s most sustainable companies in food and retailing.

"Sustainability affects everyone: consumers and companies, restaurateurs and guests, small retailers and their customers. The rating once again confirms our efforts in this area and shows us how important it is that we work alongside our customers every day to ensure that all our resources are used responsibly. It is not without reason that sustainable action is one of METRO’s guiding principles," commented Veronika Pountcheva, Global Director Corporate Responsibility METRO AG, on METROs achievements within the ranking. "Especially in times like these, it becomes clear that we all bear an ecological, economic and social responsibility – for an even stronger community. We are living up to this responsibility and accordingly continue to commit ourselves to our long-term goals in terms of sustainability.”

The internationally renowned Dow Jones Sustainability Index, established in 1999, evaluates the sustainability work of listed companies worldwide on an annual basis – around 3,500 companies took part in this year’s assessment. The index family was developed jointly by S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM, S&P has been conducting the analysis since this year. The bestinclass benchmark serves investors as an indicator of the listed companies that provide the best environmental, social and economic performance.

In 2020, the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment, which forms the basis for the comparative ranking, recorded the highest number of sustainability ratings in its history, with an increase of 19%. In the group ‘Food & Staples Retailing’, in which METRO AG is assessed, 41 companies accepted the invitation to the sustainability assessment. This shows the importance of sustainability in the economy, not least as a competitive factor. The list of questions for the sustainability assessment is continuously updated. This year, for example, for the first-time questions were asked on the proportion of sustainable packaging materials such as glass, paper and plastic or recycled plastic packaging.

Despite these new question categories, METRO almost maintained its ranking and achieved 81 points. The comparative index is divided into three superordinate subject areas: Economic, environmental and social dimension. In the economic dimension, METRO was able to convince particularly in the areas of policy influence – the dialogue with political stakeholders, with its health and nutrition strategy as well as in the area of data protection. In the environmental dimension, the wholesale company achieved full marks in the areas of climate protection strategy, GMO and water risks in the supply chain. In the social dimension, METRO convinced, as in previous years in the area of human rights.