About
Maala ESG Index
Launched in 2003, the Maala Index has evolved into the leading benchmark of the Israeli business community’s commitment to social responsibility.
About the Index
The Maala ESG Index aggregates more than 200 indicators across environmental, social, ethical, and corporate governance dimensions of business, incorporating both global standards of corporate responsibility and priorities specific to the Israeli market.
The strength of the Index lies in its measurability and comparability — over time, within business sectors, and in relation to the Israeli market at large. It provides each company with a clear and detailed reflection of its social and environmental impact, enabling an annual process of internal review, gap analysis, and aligning targets for continuous improvement in line with local business norms and standards.
Setting the Index criteria & indicators
The criteria & indicators for the Maala Index are set and updated by an independent committee comprised of content experts, academics, leaders of environmental and civil society organizations, and representatives of the business sector. Key areas assessed in the Index include: environmental impact, employee wellbeing, inclusion & belonging, organizational ethics, responsible procurement, community investment, corporate governance, transparency & reporting, and more.
The indicators are periodically reviewed, revised and updated by the committee to reflect both Israeli and global developments, in collaboration with corporate responsibility organizations and additional stakeholders.
Maala Index Categories
Advanced
The Maala ESG Index evaluates some 200 indicators across twelve overarching chapters: environmental performance, corporate governance, ethical business conduct, management and reporting, labor relations, responsible procurement, inclusion & belonging, community investment, employee social engagement, commuting & transportation management, ESG governance, and workplace safety.
Participation in the Index is voluntary. The questionnaire, set by an independent committee, is based on company self-reporting approved by the CEO, with about half of the companies also verifying through external review. The advanced category is aimed for large companies
Basic
The Basic category of the Maala Index, is designed for SMEs with an annual turnover of NIS 50–300 million and over 40 employees. The questionnaire for this category includes more basic and fundamental questions, aiming to raise awareness and drive progress in areas such as ethics, environmental practices, labor rights, and workplace diversity.
In addition, the Index helps companies get acquainted with the ESG landscape and lays the groundwork for meeting global regulatory requirements as well as the expectations of major clients locally and globally.
EMERGING
This category of the Maala ESG index is designed for growth-stage startup companies whose products or services align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address key sustainability challenges. Launched in 2022, it serves as an effective tool for raising awareness and initiating work in areas such as ethics, labor rights, workplace diversity, and more.
This category comes in response to growing demand from investors and stakeholders for ESG integration already at companies’ growth stage. The index helps startup companies lay the groundwork for ESG management that supports their expansion and strengthens the connection between their operations and the SDGs.
Inclusion Index
The Inclusion Index evaluates a broad range of metrics, including workforce diversity, organizational inputs that promote inclusion, and management practices that foster an inclusive work environment and a sense of belonging.
The Inclusion Index aims to enhance the measurement of workforce diversity and create a database on the state of diversity & inclusion in Israel’s business sector, while also recognizing the leading companies leading in the field.
Launched in collaboration with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the index is voluntary and designed for large companies in Israel.
