3M earns Gold-Class distinction on Dow Jones Sustainability Index

3M has been recognized by the 2010 Dow Jones Sustainability Index with Gold-Class distinction, placing the company among world leaders in practices and policies that are beneficial to the environment.

Zurich-based, Sustainability Asset Management, a financial services firm devoted exclusively to investments in environmentally friendly companies, evaluates the 2,500 firms comprising the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market Index annually for their sustainability efforts. The firm is owned by Rotterdam-based Robeco Group.

The distinction follows by less than a month 3M’s receipt of an Energy Star Sustained Excellence award for the sixth consecutive year. Energy Star awards are conferred jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

Keith J. Miller, manager of environmental initiatives and sustainability in 3M Environmental, Health and Safety, says the dual awards are the result of “3M’s decades-old commitment to conserving energy, minimizing our impact on the environment, and maintaining healthy working conditions for our employees around the world.”

He observes, for example, that 3M’s well-known “3P” initiative (Pollution Prevention Pays) dates back to 1975, “and reflects the company’s understanding that rooting out the causes of pollution at the source is as much a matter of sound business practice as it is environmental and social responsibility. Each year we reevaluate our internal programs to encourage sustainable efforts in environmental, social responsibility and governance practices, and to initiate new program enhancements.

“We very much appreciate the recognition 3M is receiving for its efforts and for the contribution the company has made to this vital worldwide cause,” Miller adds.

Sustainable Asset Management publishes an annual yearbook containing the top-scoring 15 percent of companies in each of 58 business sectors. 3M’s score has placed the company in the 2010 yearbook and as one of the sustainability leaders in the diversified industrials sector for the 10th consecutive year.

The 2010 SAM yearbook includes a new section describing how SAM integrates the information from its Corporate Sustainability Assessment into financial valuation. Looking back over the last 10 years, it also outlines how SAM’s annual assessment has enabled companies to benchmark their sustainability performance against their peers and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses with regard to their sustainability strategies.

3M information is available at www.3M.com/sustainability.

About 3M
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries.