Borsa İstanbul (BIST), the Turkish stock exchange, has launched its first sustainability index as it seeks to boost foreign investment and increase local awareness of ESG issues as they apply to Turkish companies.

The BIST Sustainability Index gauges members of Turkey’s benchmark BIST 30 Index for a series of sustainability criteria devised by EIRIS, an international firm that researches ESG performance of companies, and local researchers from the Sabanci University Corporate Governance Forum of Turkey.

The index includes 15 members that have been analyzed regarding a series of issues including biodiversity, climate change, environment, human rights, health and safety, bribery and board practice, EIRIS says...

This year’s members include Petkim Petrokimya Holding, banks Yapi Ve Kredi Bankasi, Akbank and Garanti Bankasi, mobile operator Turkcell, industrial conglomerate Koç Holding and Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi, an automotive company.