Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) is a global index widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost sustainability indices. The DJSI World Index benchmarks the sustainability performance of leading companies based on environmental, social and economic performance, including forward-looking indicators.

The DJSI tracks the overall performance of the leading (best 10%) sustainability-driven companies worldwide and AkzoNobel has been recognized as one of the industry leaders on this prestigious index since September 2005, reflecting the company’s wholehearted commitment to improving its sustainability performance.

During 2008 AkzoNobel declared, as part of our specific sustainability objectives, that as a company we would aim to remain in the top three in the DJSI ratings.

Doing business in a sustainable way is critical to the economic future of AkzoNobel and to the success of our customers. We are committed to continual improvement and to putting even more energy into remaining at the forefront of transforming our industry sector into a provider of sustainable solutions.

In order to meet this ambitious target as a business the focus will be on;

• Improving our safety performance
• Increasing turnover from eco-premium products which are both eco-efficient and attract a premium
• Developing sustainable water management at all sites
• Reducing carbon emissions from cradle to gate
• Adherence to and training in our Code of Conduct
• Strengthening the diversity of our workforce
• Implementing leading people development programs