ProLogis Lands on Two New Dow Jones Green Indices

ProLogis announced October 2nd that it has been included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. These indices are the first to track the financial performance and viability of leading businesses worldwide known for their green initiatives. The indices provide asset managers with objective benchmarks to manage sustainability portfolios, which are increasing in number to meet a growing demand among investors. This was the first year that ProLogis submitted an application for inclusion in the DJSI, and ProLogis was named to both The North American Index, comprised of the top 20 percent of 600 largest leading companies of the Dow Jones Global Index and also to The World Index. The World Index includes the top 10 percent of the largest 2.500 companies in the world, with regards to long-term economic, social and environmental criteria. “We’re very pleased to have been listed. Inclusion in these indices validates our sustainability efforts and significantly enhances ProLogis’ visibility with socially responsible investment funds around the globe,” Prologis senior vice president for investor relations Melissa Marsden (pictured) told CPN, “We’ve made significant strides in formalizing and furthering sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives over the last several years,” Marsden added, In early 2008 the company made two significant announcements: ProLogis pledged to build all new warehouse facilities in the U.S. according to LEED standards, and to register these with the USGBC for LEED certification. Second, ProLogis committed to achieve a minimum rating of “Very Good” under BREEAM standards for all new facilities in the U.K. To date, the company has more than 20 million square feet of LEED or BREEAM rated facilities certified or under construction. ProLogis has completed more than 20 million square feet of high-efficiency lighting installations, which translates into more than 22.5 million kWh saved each year, compared with standard systems, which is enough to power 2,115 homes for a year. ProLogis also was recently selected to participate in a national study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help design solutions that yield significant, measurable energy savings for commercial buildings. As part of the study, ProLogis will work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), to review warehouse design specifications and enhancements using computer-run simulations that identify impacts of design and technology changes on energy use. In China, ProLogis pledged to fund the construction of one new school for every five million square feet of industrial development it completes in the country. Last year the company constructed one school and expects to complete three more during 2008. ProLogis employees in China also volunteer at these schools. The company also established the ProLogis Foundation in 2001 with the initial goal of providing financial support to institutions of higher education and charitable organizations in North America. Over the last two years PLD has contributed over $10 million to the Foundation.ProLogis is listed and a member of other green groups, including the annual FTSE4Good Index. The FTSE4Good Index was created by the global index company FTSE Group, and is an independent equity index series that was designed to encourage and help investments prosper in companies that are recognizing corporate responsibilities in terms of social, ethical and environmental areas. ProLogis has been included in FTSE4Good Index since 2005. And ProLogis has been included in several other socially responsible groupings including the Domini 400 Social Index, the KLD Large Cap Social Index and the KLD Dividend Achievers Social Index.