KUALA LUMPUR (June 10): Wilmar International Ltd, which wholly owns PPB Oil Palm Bhd, said it has been added to the FTSE4Good Developed Index and FTSE4Good ASEAN 5 Index with effect from June 21. 

In a statement today, Wilmar chief sustainability officer Jeremy Goon said the group is honoured by the global recognition of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts from FTSE Russell. 

“This is an affirmation that our sustainability efforts have made a positive impact," he said. "We are also cognizant of the increasing attention and scrutiny from investors and the financial community on the way businesses are conducted, and we will continue to set the bar high for ourselves to further strengthen our ESG performance." 

Wilmar's inclusion in the two FTSE4Good indices follows the group’s addition to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), under the Asia Pacific Index for the Food, Beverage and Tobacco industry grouping in November 2020. 

Wilmar said the FTSE4Good Index Series is one of the world’s first global ESG index families and is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong ESG practices.

It is also designed to reflect strong ESG risk management practices and ensure that only companies demonstrating strong management of ESG risks are included. Some indicators of ESG criteria include climate change, supply chain, health and safety, labour standards, corporate governance and risk management. 

Wilmar said the FTSE4Good ASEAN 5 Index constituents are selected and screened in accordance with transparent and defined ESG criteria.

The index identifies companies with recognised corporate responsibility practices, listed on the leading Asean financial markets – Bursa Malaysia, Singapore Exchange (SGX), Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), The Philippine Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Thailand.