What is the BIST Sustainability Index?

In today’s world, global challenges such as climate change, the depletion of natural resources, and social inequality require not just governments but also companies to act responsibly. With this shift, investors are no longer looking solely at profit and loss statements—they now consider companies’ performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas. That’s where sustainability indices come into play. So, what exactly is the BIST Sustainability Index and what benefits does it offer to companies?

Why Sustainability Indices Matter

Sustainability indices reflect not only how companies manage the present, but how responsibly and strategically they are planning for the future. Companies included in these indices meet certain standards in areas like energy efficiency, carbon emissions, occupational health and safety, human rights, and transparency. This makes them a reliable choice for both individual and institutional investors.

Being part of a sustainability index isn’t just an environmental achievement—it’s a financial one too. An increasing number of investors prioritize companies that care about people and the planet, and this directly influences investment decisions.

Scope and Criteria of the BIST Sustainability Index

The BIST Sustainability Index is a special index that includes companies listed on Borsa Istanbul that demonstrate strong ESG performance. Operating since 2014, the index evaluates companies’ environmental, social, and governance practices with a clear and transparent approach.

The index criteria are aligned with international sustainability frameworks and are grouped into three main categories:

Environmental (E): Includes practices like energy management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, and water conservation. For instance, an energy company investing in solar or wind energy, or using low-emission technology in electricity production, scores well in this category.
Social (S): Covers areas such as occupational health and safety, employee rights, gender equality, and community engagement. A mining company that invests in worker safety or combats child labor in its supply chain is evaluated under these criteria.
Governance (G): Focuses on transparency, ethics, corporate structure, and anti-corruption measures. These are especially critical for companies in public services or major infrastructure sectors.

The index is reviewed annually, and evaluations are conducted by the independent organization Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS), ensuring objectivity and credibility.

Companies in the Index and Sector Breakdown

The BIST Sustainability Index includes companies from a wide range of industries, reflecting Turkey’s sustainability outlook across its economy. Sector representation helps show which industries are more active in applying sustainable practices.

According to data from Borsa Istanbul, the leading sectors by representation in the index are:

Holding and Investment Companies: 14%
Banks: 17.8%
Retail Trade: 11.4%
Transportation and Storage: 10.7%
Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Petroleum, Rubber and Plastics: 8.5%

Benefits of Being in the Sustainability Index

Being included in the BIST Sustainability Index brings a range of advantages to companies—from increased investor trust and enhanced brand value to improved operational efficiency and better compliance with regulations. It also helps companies strengthen their long-term strategies through regular monitoring and reporting of sustainability performance.

Borusan Cat’s Sustainability Approach

At Borusan Cat, we place sustainability at the heart of everything we do under our company’s purpose statement: “We Create Solutions for a Better World.” We support our business partners with solutions that reduce environmental impact and improve resource efficiency. Through our digital platforms and data analytics tools, we help optimize equipment efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and improve sustainability performance.

The BIST Sustainability Index is a powerful tool for measuring ESG performance and informing investors. At Borusan Cat, we are proud to support our partners in improving their environmental and social impact through our sustainability-driven products and services.

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