3 N.J. companies named World’s Most Sustainable by Corporate Knights

Three New Jersey-based companies were named to the 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list by Corporate Knights.

To rank the most sustainable companies, the Toronto-based specialized media and investment research firm used metrics covering resource, employee and financial management, and clean revenue. About 7,400 companies with more than $1 billion in revenue were analyzed to create the list.

American Water, based in Camden, ranked No. 16 with a 78.33% overall score.

Merck & Co., based in Kenilworth, came in at No. 78 with a 59.51% score.

And Camden-based Campbell Soup Co. ranked No. 93 on the list with a 51.43% score.

“Campbell is honored to once again be recognized by Corporate Knights as one of the world’s most sustainable corporations,” Roma McCaig, vice president, corporate responsibility and sustainability, Campbell, said. “This recognition is a testament to our employees who bring our purpose to life every day by driving Campbell’s corporate responsibility and sustainability programs.”

A number of companies with a strong presence in New Jersey also made the list, including the No. 1 company, Orsted, which will build a wind farm off the coast of Atlantic City.

Lauren Burm, head of public affairs and communications for Orsted North America, said the recognition supports the company’s mission.

“(The) announcement underscores how innovation, profitability and clean energy development can work together to build a sustainable world,” she said. “Orsted is committed to creating a world that runs entirely on green energy. We are demonstrating our leadership by developing projects up and down the East Coast, including Ocean Wind here in New Jersey, which will provide more than half a million homes with clean energy.

“Renewables continue to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. Ocean Wind will create over 3,000 direct jobs annually through development and three-year construction cycle. Orsted is proving that it’s possible to build an industry that creates jobs; generates power for millions of homes, businesses and cars; and helps build a sustainable future.”

Other companies with a strong New Jersey presence include: Prologis (No. 26), Unilever (No. 46), Novo Nordisk (No. 71), Konica Minolta (No. 72), BASF (No. 87) and Panasonic (No. 89).

Here’s the Top 10 overall:

  1. Orsted A/S, Denmark, 85.20%;
  2. Hansen Holding A/S, Denmark, 83.90%;
  3. Neste Oyj, Finland, 83.64%;
  4. Cisco Systems Inc., U.S., 83.59%;
  5. Autodesk Inc., U.S., 82.84%;
  6. Novozymes A/S, Denmark, 82.70%;
  7. ING Groep NV, Netherlands, 82.53%;
  8. Enel SpA, Italy, 81.77%
  9. Banco do Brasil SA, Brazil, 81.72%;
  10. Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., Canada, 80.89%.