Half of the ten most controversial companies are Global Compact participants

ArcelorMittal, Citigroup, Chevron, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), ExxonMobil, Nestlé, Samsung, Shell, Total, and Wal-Mart were red-flagged by Ecofact as the most controversial companies in the world. The companies were routinely in the news and criticized by non-governmental organizations in the first half of this year.

The Reputational Risk Index (RRI) by Ecofact’s RepRisk tool ranks companies on negative media attention and criticism from NGOs regarding social and environmental issues. The top sustainability issues these ten companies were criticized for during the past six months were human rights abuses, environmental violations, corruption and bribery, and breaches of labour standards. According to Ecofact, the RRI is designed to help investors gauge a company’s relationship to controversial issues and the risks associated with them.

Five out of the ten most controversial companies in this ranking are participants in the UN Global Compact: ArcelorMittal, CNPC / PetroChina, Nestlé, Shell and Total.

If you would like to receive a copy of the research report, please contact Charlotte Mansson (mansson(a)ecofact.com) or call +41 44 350 6022.