Sime Darby Property makes it to Dow Jones Sustainability Indices

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 25): Sime Darby Property Bhd (SimeProp) has been selected as an index component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

In a statement today, SimeProp said the inclusion reinforced its sustainability credentials as it is the only Malaysian property developer to qualify for the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Market Index alongside other property companies from the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, Chile, and South Africa.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Market Index comprises emerging-market sustainability leaders identified by RobecoSAM, the investment specialist that focuses exclusively on sustainability investing.

It aims to represent the top 10% of the largest 800 companies in 20 emerging markets, based on long-term economic, environment, and social criteria.

SimeProp said it observes sustainability as an important agenda in line with its vision of building sustainable communities.

SimeProp acting group chief executive officer Datuk Wan Hashimi Albakri Wan Ahmad Amin Jaffri said the inclusion reflects the company's commitment towards sustainable practices.

"This will definitely spur us to further our sustainability journey. We recognise that our greatest responsibility is to ensure that our townships and projects will have positive impact on the economy, society and the environment, to protect the well-being of future generations," he said.

Wan Hashimi said SimeProp's latest initiative is the Elmina Rainforest Knowledge Centre and nursery for endangered, rare and threatened (ERT) trees.

He said while the centre will focus on environmental education and conservation, research and development, and promotion of eco-tourism, the ERT Tree Nursery will focus on producing up to 100,000 ERT tree species.

"The company will keep up efforts to measure the progress of its sustainable journey, by tracking and monitoring its impact on the environment through a combination of initiatives while achieving internal reduction targets," he said.

Meanwhile, RobecoSAM head of ESG Ratings Manji Jus said the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) has again raised the bar in identifying those companies best-positioned to address future sustainability challenges and opportunities.

"This year — which marks the 20th anniversary of the DJSI — record corporate interest in the SAM CSA reflects the enduring relevance of the DJSI for measuring and advancing ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices," said Jus.

At 11.27am, SimeProp fell 1.74% or 1.5 sen to 84.5 sen for a market capitalisation of RM5.75 billion.

The DJSI was created jointly by S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM, combining the experience of an established index provider with the expertise of a specialist in Sustainable Investing to select the most sustainable companies from across 61 industries.

The indices serve as benchmarks for investors who integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios, and provide an effective engagement platform for investors who wish to encourage companies to improve their corporate sustainability practices.

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