ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Sept. 3 Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today that it was included on both the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and North America Index for the fifth consecutive year. This selection recognizes Abbott's continued global leadership in responsible economic, environmental and social performance. As a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, Abbott is among the top 300 of the 2,500 largest companies worldwide in terms of sustainability.
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Abbott is one of only two U.S.-based companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) Pharmaceuticals sector to be listed on both the North America and World Indexes. The DJSI annual review considers sustainability leaders from each industry on a global and regional level, and involves thorough analyses of corporate governance, risk management, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards, labor practices and branding.
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Abbott's scores increased in 20 of 24 categories compared to the previous year, demonstrating its commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability. The company's overall score of 81 percent is significantly higher than the average score of 47 percent for other companies in the DJSI Pharmaceuticals sector.
"We believe that for commercial success to be sustainable, we must conduct ourselves and our business responsibly," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "Therefore, citizenship matters lie at the heart of our corporate strategy."
Abbott achieved a top DJSI score of 100 percent in environmental management.
Safeguarding the environment is an important part of Abbott's mission to improve people's health and the company's efforts to be a leader in global citizenship. Abbott has identified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased use of cleaner and renewable energy, water conservation and limiting the impact of product packaging as environmental priorities. The company has set measurable goals in each of these areas to track its progress. All of Abbott's health care businesses are examining their manufacturing processes and needs, as well as their product packaging, to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches to help the company meet or exceed these goals.
Abbott views responsible citizenship as critical to the company's long-term competitiveness. The company's focus on sustainability is reflected in how the company conducts its business around the world, with a key focus on four areas: innovating for the future, enhancing access to medicine and health care, protecting patients and consumers, and safeguarding the environment.
In addition to being included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, Abbott has been recognized for its sustainability efforts in countries around the world, including Brazil, China, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Tanzania and the United States. The company also ranked eighth overall in the global "100 Best Corporate Citizens List 2008" compiled by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine. To learn more about Abbott's sustainability initiatives and to read or download the company's 2008 global citizenship report, please visit www.abbott.com/citizenship.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's
Web site at www.abbott.com.
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