Aflac, the number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, announced today that the company has been named to the 2012 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America list. This is the second consecutive year that Aflac has appeared on the prestigious list.

The Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index is composed of North American sustainability leaders as identified by SAM Research through a corporate sustainability assessment. The index represents the top 20 percent of the largest 600 North American companies in the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market Index based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. The index serves as a benchmark for investors who integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios and provides an effective engagement platform for companies who want to adopt sustainable best practices.

In the 2012 survey, Aflac exceeded its sector average in key survey areas, including Codes of Conduct, Compliance, Corruption & Bribery, Corporate Governance, Customer Relationship Management, Operational Eco-Efficiency, Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy, Human Capital Development, and Talent Attraction & Retention.

"We know that there is always more work to do, but Aflac has worked hard to create a more socially conscious, sustainable business environment," Aflac Vice President of Facilities and Green Committee Chair Alfred Blackmar said. "We are proud to secure a place on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since it provides external validation that we are on the right path for sustainability, that we prioritize strong stewardship of the environment, and that we care deeply for the community we serve and our employees."

The underlying research methodology accounts for general as well as industry-specific sustainability trends and evaluates corporations based on a variety of criteria, including climate change strategies, energy consumption, human resources development, knowledge management, stakeholder relations, and corporate governance.