Four Dutch companies are the most sustainable in the world in their sector, according to the 2012 Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI), which track the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide.

Dutch companies AkzoNobel (Chemicals), Unilever (Food & Beverage), Philips (Personal & Household Goods) and AirFrance-KLM (Travel & Leisure), have outperformed the rest of their peers with respect to sustainability in 2012.

Unilever is a consistent sustainability leader, having been named the best in its sector for 14 years in a row. Air France-KLM has led its sector for the past eight years. AkzoNobel improved from a second place finish in 2011, and has ranked in the top three every year since 2007.  Philips was named most sustainable in its sector for the second year in a row.

Launched in 1999, the DJSI World Index assesses the sustainability performance of the world's 2.500 largest companies from 58 industry sectors based on environmental, social and economic performance, including forward-looking indicators.

2012-2013 supersector leaders:

› Automobiles & Parts: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
› Banks: Australia & New Zealand Banking Group
› Basic Resources: UPM-Kymmene OYJ
› Chemicals: Akzo Nobel NV
› Construction & Materials: GS Engineering & Construction Corp
› Fin. Services: Itausa - Investimentos Itau SA
› Food & Beverage: Unilever NV
› Healthcare: Roche Holding AG
› Industrial Goods & Services: Siemens AG
› Insurance: Swiss Re AG
› Media: Telenet Group Holding NV
› Oil & Gas: Repsol SA
› Personal & Household Goods: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
› Real Estate: GPT Group
› Retail: Lotte Shopping Co Ltd
› Technology: Alcatel-Lucent SA
› Telecommunications: KT Corp
› Travel & Leisure: Air France-KLM
› Utilities: Iberdrola SA

Source: 2012 Dow Jones Sustainability World Indices