Coca-Cola HBC AG (Coca-Cola HBC) the world’s second largest bottler of products of The Coca-Cola Company, has been named the industry leader amongst beverage companies in the 2014 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). This is the seventh consecutive year that Coca-Cola HBC has been included in the indices and the first year it has led both the World and European indices.

Dow Jones Sustainability Indices assess over 2,500 of the world’s largest publicly traded companies on financially relevant economic, environmental and social factors. Following an evaluation, the top 10% of companies within each industry are selected for inclusion.

Coca-Cola HBC was ranked first in the beverages sector out of 30 companies in DJSI World and 10 companies in DJSI Europe. The company’s overall score was 89%, up from 81% last year, and it achieved industry-best scores across the environmental and social dimensions, and more specifically in the areas of health and nutrition, supply chain management, environmental policy, environmental reporting, social reporting, talent attraction and retention, and human capital development.

Dimitris Lois, Coca-Cola HBC CEO said:  “We are delighted to be recognised as an industry leader by this renowned benchmark of corporate sustainability performance. Our substantial improvement this year confirms how committed we are to the sustainability agenda. It remains a key strategic priority for the business and our focus will be on making further progress in order to maintain our leadership position.”

Coca-Cola HBC’s sustainability programmes are long-term investments, building value over time for the business and communities where it operates. Consumer health and wellness is a key issue for the business and its communities as well as minimising its environmental impact, developing sustainability in its value chain and creating value for its communities.

Coca-Cola HBC is the second-largest bottler of brands of The Coca-Cola Company in terms of volume with sales of more than 2 billion unit cases. It has a broad geographic footprint with operations in 28 countries serving a population of approximately 585 million people. Coca-Cola HBC offers a diverse range of ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverages in the sparkling, juice, water, sport, energy, tea and coffee categories.

Coca-Cola HBC is committed to promoting sustainable development in order to create value for its business and for society. This includes providing products that meet the beverage needs of consumers, fostering an open and inclusive work environment, conducting its business in ways that protect and preserve the environment and contribute to the socio-economic development of the local communities.

Coca-Cola HBC has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: CCH) and its shares are listed on the Athens Exchange (ATHEX: EEE). Coca-Cola HBC is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good Indices. For more information, please visit http://www.coca-colahellenic.com/.