##  [Leading performance in sustainability](/news/leading-performance-sustainability "Leading performance in sustainability") 

 Novartis included in Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, with industry-leading performance in environmental and social reporting and human capital.

 

 Nov 16, 2020 

 ![People crossing the street in Cape Town](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/street-scenes-cape-town-south-africa-image.jpg.webp?itok=wdCLgK3i "People crossing the street in Cape Town")

 

Novartis maintained its strong position in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index with a percentile score of 91 (vs. 87 in 2019). We are proud of our industry-leading performance in the areas of social and environmental reporting, human capital development and labor practices. Novartis has been included in the DJSI World Index for the last 18 years and also remains listed in the DSJI Europe Index.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) is an increasingly important benchmark for investors. In 2020, 83 pharmaceutical companies were assessed with the top 8 companies being included in the index and the top 5 European companies also included in the European Index.

DJSI is one of the priority ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) ratings for Novartis, which help inform investor decision making. Other priority ratings include Sustainalytics, MSCI, CDP, Vigeo, Oekom and the Access to Medicine Index. Further information on our [ESG ratings](/investors/reporting-and-transparency-hub/esg-rating-performance "ESG rating performance") and reporting can be found [here](/node/35901).

## First sustainability-linked bond in the healthcare industry

 ![Patient and healthcare worker in Vietnam](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/patient-healthcare-worker-in-vietnam-image.jpg.webp?itok=FIphO-8K "Patient and healthcare worker in Vietnam")

 

Novartis priced a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond (SLB), reinforcing its commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and patient access. The bond is the first of its kind in the healthcare industry and the first SLB incorporating social targets.

[Learn more](/news/media-releases/novartis-reinforces-commitment-patient-access-pricing-eur-185-billion-sustainability-linked-bond "Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond")



 



## Ambitious ESG targets

 ![Woman receiving medicine at dispensary in Kenya](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-07/woman-receiving-medicine-at-dispensary-in-kenya-image.jpg.webp?itok=r4Wj4oJG "Woman receiving medicine at dispensary in Kenya")

 

Novartis set new ambitious targets to increase patient reach in low- and middle-income countries by 2025. In addition, Novartis further strengthened its carbon neutrality target to aim for full carbon neutrality across its supply chain (Scope 1, 2, 3) by 2030.

[Read more](/news/media-releases/novartis-announces-ambitious-esg-targets-increase-access-medicines-and-achieve-full-carbon-neutrality "Novartis announces ambitious ESG targets to increase access to medicines and achieve full carbon neutrality")



 



###  Environmental, social, governance topics 

Novartis aims to hold itself to the highest standards of sustainability and ethical business practices. We take bold steps to increase access to medicines, tackle complex global health challenges, and do our part as a responsible corporate citizen.



 

 [Learn more](/esg "Learn more")