RB joins Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index (DJSI Europe) and is recognised with CDP leadership position

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the first full year of implementation for RB's sustainability strategy, betterbusiness, the company announced today that it was added to the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index (DJSI Europe).  The company earned 'industry best' scores for DJSI indicators within each of broad economic, environmental and social categories. Within these three areas, RB achieved top scores in risk and crisis management, social reporting, product stewardship, corporate citizenship and philanthropy, and environmental reporting.

Having decreased its total carbon footprint (per dose of product) by 25% from 2007-2012, RB has also achieved a position of leadership with regard to the quality of climate change data it has submitted to the global marketplace through CDP.

"Integrating sustainability into our business is vital to achieve our purpose of providing innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes," explains CEO Rakesh Kapoor.  "Last year we set ourselves an ambitious set of sustainability goals and we're proud that our performance has been recognised in the latest DJSI and CDP rankings."

RB has achieved a position in CDP's Global 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI), with a score of 99B. This annual index, compiled by PwC on behalf of CDP, highlights those companies listed on the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (Global 500) that have displayed a strong approach to the disclosure of information regarding climate change.  Companies are scored out of 100 on the completeness and standard of their submissions. 

RB's sustainability strategy and latest sustainability report can be found at www.rb.com/sustainability

About RB:
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) is a global consumer goods leader in health, hygiene and home.
With a purpose of delivering innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes, RB is in the top 25 of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Today it is the global No 1 or No 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation. Its health, hygiene and home portfolio is led by 19 global Powerbrands including Nurofen, Strepsils Gaviscon, Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Lysol, Dettol, Clearasil, Veet, Harpic, Bang, Mortein, Finish, Vanish, Woolite, Calgon, Air Wick, and French's.  RB has close to half of its revenues coming from it 2 emerging market Areas and just over half from its developed market Area. 

RB people and its culture are at the heart of the company's success. They have an intense drive for achievement and a desire to outperform wherever they focus, including in sustainability where the company has reduced its carbon footprint by 20% in 5 years and is now targeting to deliver a 1/3 reduction in water impact, 1/3 further reduction in carbon and to have 1/3 of its net revenue coming from more sustainable products by 2020. It is also the Save the Children charity's largest FMCG global partner. 

The company has operations in over 60 countries, with headquarters in the UK, Singapore, Dubai and Amsterdam, and sales in almost 200 countries. The company employs approximately 35,900 people worldwide.

For more information visit www.rb.com or contact [email protected]

About the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices:
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices were launched in 1999 as the first global sustainability benchmarks. The indices are offered cooperatively by RobecoSAM and S&P Dow Jones Indices. The family tracks the stock performance of the world's leading companies in terms of economic, environmental and social criteria. The indices serve as benchmarks for investors who integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios, and provide an effective engagement platform for companies who want to adopt sustainable best practices. The Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Index tracks the performance of the top 20% of the 600 largest European companies in the S&P Global Broad Market IndexSM that lead the field in terms of sustainability.

About CDP:
CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information.  CDP works with market forces, including 722 institutional investors with assets of US$87 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them.  CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions.  The CDLI comprises the organizations that achieved a score within the top 10% of the sample assessed. In 2013 the Global 500 CDLI comprises 60 companies.  The minimum score has risen year-on-year as corporate understanding of the need for climate transparency has increased.  It now stands at 97.  Please visit www.cdp.net to find out more.

Contact: Jenny Hepworth, 212-601-8160

SOURCE Reckitt Benckiser