BBVA, Santander Bank and Bankinter led the pack as the top performers in their categories within Europe, earning the highest scores in the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) compiled by S&P Global. Under the leadership of Carlos Torres, the group secured the best European score for banks for a third straight year and ranked second globally among sector peers. Banks worldwide are evaluated in this ranking, which measures environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and impact.
More than 10,000 publicly traded companies were invited to participate in S&P Global’s analysis this year. Respondents answered a thorough ESG survey comprising nearly 100 questions and provided public and non-public data. Only the top 10 percent within each industry earn a place in the final index.
Other Spanish companies appearing in this classification include Caixabank,Indra, Inditex, Amadeus, Enagás, Endesa, Iberdrola, Red Eléctrica, Siemens Gamesa, Grifols, and more. The latest edition of the DJSI World Index, prepared by S&P Global, was released on December 10, with amendments effective December 19.
Bank classification
Additional Spanish banking affiliates also earned recognition. BBVA Peru and Garanti BBVA (in the Pacific Alliance and Turkey regions, respectively) were again placed in emerging markets categories, marking their continued regional prominence in these indices.
BBVA posted a total score of 86 out of 100. It achieved 89 points in the financial, asset, and corporate governance dimension; 74 in the environmental category; and 88 in social. It also attained a perfect 100 in several areas, including financial inclusion; environmental and social disclosure; materiality; tax strategy; anti-crime measures; public policy or lobbying; and human rights.
Caixabank was highlighted for its long-running inclusion in the index and its global leadership in sustainability metrics. It earned top marks (100 points) in governance areas related to board diversity, ethics and conduct, anti-corruption policy, financial strategy and transparency, and cyber security. This sustained performance places CaixaBank among the world’s top 25 banks in sustainability, out of 179 candidates evaluated globally. CaixaBank integrates ESG criteria into its corporate banking and wealth management offerings and emphasizes CO2 emissions measurement and management, human rights, and financial inclusion.
Bankinter is also showcased as a world leader in sustainability, maintaining the highest ESG scores for several years. Its strengths include product development in ESG, climate-change opportunity and risk management, and robust environmental reporting and CO2 emissions management (Scopes 1, 2, and 3).
Energy companies advance their standings
In the energy sector, Enel and Endesa achieved career-best results in the global index. Enel reached 90 out of 100 for the first time, with performance that positions it well above the industry average. Endesa, Enel’s Spanish subsidiary, set a record with 89 points, enjoying a notable year-over-year gain. Enel is among a select group of eight global power companies listed in the DJSI World together with Endesa. This marks Enel’s sustained leadership, complemented by strong showings from Enel Chile (88) and Enel Americas (87).
Endesa leads Spain’s presence in the global index, ranking as the fourth-best utility after Terna, Enel, and EDP, and reinforcing a positive trajectory since 2015. Its performance spans three key dimensions—economic, environmental, and social—scoring above 90 on 17 of the 27 evaluated criteria, including a perfect 100 in 11 criteria. Iberdrola’s continued inclusion in the edition demonstrates the group’s commitment to high ESG standards, as only 10 percent of the top-ranked listed companies are selected from a pool of nearly 10,000 candidates.
Grifols and Ferrovial
Ferrovial has been recognized as a leading player in sustainability within the construction and engineering sector, a position linked to its long-standing DJSI membership spanning two decades. For the third consecutive year, Grifols is counted among the world’s five most sustainable companies in its industry, excelling in corporate citizenship, climate strategy, human rights, environmental and social transparency, and responsible marketing practices.
These rankings underline the ongoing shift toward responsible governance and transparent ESG reporting across Europe’s banking and energy sectors, with a growing emphasis on risk mitigation, ethical practices, and stakeholder engagement. The DJSI continues to serve as a benchmark for corporate sustainability, guiding investors who seek accountability and long-term value creation across global markets. Attribution: S&P Global, Dow Jones Sustainability Index