What are the major ESG indices?

The latter two are also full-series financial index rating agencies. Specific information is shown in the figure below. ESG Rating/Scoring Explained ESG data used by different rating agencies vary significantly and fall into two categories: active and passive ratings. Passive ratings refer to assessments generated by rating agencies scraping publicly available information—companies receive ESG ratings without direct involvement. Active ratings, by contrast, require companies to proactively participate—for example, by completing questionnaires or submitting requested information. Data sources feeding these rating models include public data, quasi-public data, and private data. Public data encompasses filings submitted to securities regulators (e.g., the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), corporate sustainability reports, press releases, newswire services, and media coverage. Quasi-public data includes information captured in databases maintained by governments, regulatory bodies, and non-governmental organizations. Private data consists of non-public information provided by companies when responding to surveys or questionnaires. To derive an overall ESG rating, rating agencies typically assess each of the three ESG pillars—Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G)—individually, then aggregate the scores to calculate a composite rating. Taking MSCI as an example, it defines subcomponents under E, S, and G: Environmental - Climate Change: A company’s contribution to climate change through emissions, or its vulnerability to climate-related risks and regulatory actions. - Natural Capital: The degree to which a company depends on natural resources that may be at risk. - Pollution & Waste: Waste generated during product manufacturing or disposal—including packaging, materials, or toxic substances. - Environmental Opportunities: Potential to improve operations or generate revenue by leveraging environmental technologies. Social - Human Capital: Aspects of human capital management, including employment practices, talent development, workplace safety, and labor standards across the supply chain. - Product Responsibility: The likelihood that a company’s products cause harm due to quality failures, safety defects, financial loss, privacy breaches or data leaks, chemical hazards, or other health- or population-related risks—and how responsible investment enhances product quality, safety, or impact.

PPG, Sherwin-Williams, Axalta, and RPM have been named to the '2025 America’s Most Responsible Companies' list.

Recently, the global digital news outlet Newsweek, in partnership with international data research firm Statista, released the 'America’s Most Responsible Companies 2025' list. Based on annual revenue, this list conducts an in-depth key performance indicator (KPI) analysis of the top 2,000 publicly traded U.S. companies. It also surveys 26,000 U.S. residents, asking them to identify companies they recognize and then evaluate those companies’ overall corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance across social, environmental, and governance dimensions. Ultimately, the list recognizes 600 companies spanning 14 industries. Among them, PPG, Sherwin-Williams, Axalta, and RPM made the list. This year marks PPG’s fifth consecutive inclusion. Overall, PPG ranks #110—and #8 within the Materials & Chemicals industry category. Peter Votruba-Drzal, PPG’s Global Vice President of Sustainability, commented: “This recognition reflects our commitment to leveraging sustainability and CSR to meet evolving customer needs and drive operational excellence. Innovation in new products and processes—central to our corporate strategy—enables us to serve customers better and enhance efficiency across the value chain.” For decades, PPG has upheld the mission “Protect and Beautify the World,” with comprehensive sustainability efforts forming the core of that mission. Notably, PPG was also named to Newsweek’s separate list: “America’s Leading Green Companies 2025.” In June this year, PPG published its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting significant progress toward its 2030 sustainability goals, including: • 45% of process waste reused, recycled, or repurposed; • 13% reduction in water intensity in priority water-stressed regions; • 10% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; • 12% reduction in Scope 3 GHG emissions—including Categories 1, 10, and 12**; • 97% of key suppliers assessed against sustainability and social responsibility standards. Note: ** Category 1: Purchased goods and services—including raw materials and packaging produced by PPG; Category 10: Downstream processing of sold products by customers; Category 12: End-of-life treatment of sold products. According to the list, Sherwin-Williams ranks #125 overall and #10 in the Materials & Chemicals industry category. As a global leader in coatings manufacturing, Sherwin-Williams’ notable advances in sustainability are undeniable. Since its founding, the company has consistently pursued innovation-driven growth and embraced green, environmentally friendly principles—dedicated to delivering high-quality coating products and professional finishing solutions. Through differentiated solutions, Sherwin-Williams helps customers boost productivity and profitability. Heidi G. Petz, President and CEO of Sherwin-Williams, stated that even amid ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, the company will continue outperforming the market through strategic investments in growth and operational efficiency.

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