What is the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index?

It is one of a family of regional indexes compiled jointly by financial information group Dow Jones and sustainable investment specialist RobecoSAM. The index comprises the shares of 600 US and Canadian companies selected by Dow Jones and RobecoSAM as having met certain key criteria.

Where have you heard about the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index?

As an investor, you may have come across it in literature promoting sustainable or ethical investment. Concerns over the social and environmental impact of corporate activity among the investing public mean such investments have become ever-more popular.

What you need to know about the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index.

The Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index is one of a number of Dow Jones sustainability indices across the world. Inclusion depends on meeting criteria including desirable environmental policies and labour practices, good corporate citizenship and philanthropic activity.

Firms are questioned once a year to ensure they continue to meet these criteria and those who do not can be removed from the index. A sub-index of the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index excludes companies involved in alcohol, tobacco, firearms, gambling and adult entertainment, thus tightening further the criteria for inclusion.