Index analysis puts consumer goods giant in pole position

Index firm FTSE has named consumer products group Unilever as the best carbon management performer on its new FTSE CDP Carbon Strategy index.
“The company has a superb track record of reducing emissions – a 20% carbon efficiency improvement in the last three years (CO2/turnover), a 40% intensity improvement since 1995, and target to reduce emissions intensity by 25% between 2004 and 2012,”FTSE said. “The company is also working hard to tackle the much larger carbon footprint made by its detergents, foods and other products.” 
The FTSE CDP [Carbon Disclosure Project] Carbon Strategy index series was launched on June 23; it re-weights companies based on their carbon risk and performance. 
Tellingly, 60 companies in the index could not be assessed because they publish no information on carbon emissions. 
Second in the ranking was communications giant BT Group and retailer Morrison third. Fourth was a

surprise: aero engines manufacturer Rolls-Royce.FTSE said: “Flying is hardly climate friendly, but unless people are to stop flying all together, we need the most efficient aero engines possible – an area where Rolls-Royce has made big strides.” Rolls-Royce has improved operational carbon efficiency by 39% over three years, FTSE added.
The top 10 was rounded out by gas distributor Centrica, mobile phone firm Vodafone, publisher Reed Elsevier, retailer Tesco, drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline and retailer Marks & Spencer.
Companies were ranked using a 40-point scorecard developed by ENDS, which plans to publish a similar ranking every year.
The index also included a carbon risk assessment for the most carbon intensive companies. In this category, coal-fired power generator Drax came worst for carbon risk, with low-cost airline Easyjet the second most exposed. That is due to the inclusion of aviation in the new round of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Link