For the first time Xcel Energy has been included in an international investor publication that recognizes the world’s most sustainable companies.

RoebecoSAM, which conducts corporate sustainability assessments for the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), published The Sustainability Yearbook since 2004 to review trends, challenges and opportunities in corporate sustainability. This annual report also highlights the best of the best in corporate sustainability and features those companies with the highest sustainability assessment scores within the DJSI.

Xcel Energy received a 74 percent score on its DJSI assessment and was rated highest for corporate governance, customer relationship management, climate strategy, environmental policy and management, scorecard and measurement systems, water-related risk management and stakeholder engagement. The best score in the electric utility sector was 87 percent.

“It’s truly an honor to be included in this yearbook,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO. “It helps confirm that we are on the right track in meeting the interests of the communities we serve and are successfully managing a number of challenges related to providing clean, reliable and competitively priced energy now and in the future.”

Xcel Energy was named to the 2012-2013 Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the sixth year last September. The DJSI tracks for investment purposes the financial performance of companies considered best in class for sustainability. Companies are selected based on their strategy, management approach and performance in managing specific economic, environmental and social opportunities and risks.

This past year 3,000 companies were invited to participate in the assessment process, including 129 electric utilities. Only 18 electric utilities are included in the yearbook, with five, including Xcel Energy, from the United States.

Written by Connector, Pam Butler.