In June, NextEra Energy received a best-in-class preparedness assessment from S&P Global Ratings in its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) evaluation. NextEra Energy's final ESG evaluation score, 86, is expected to be one of the highest rankings to be given by S&P Global Ratings to any corporate entity within the sector. The best-in-class preparedness assessment, which is anticipated to be applied by S&P Global Ratings only in rare circumstances, reflects NextEra Energy's ability to identify long-term risks and develop and implement plans to mitigate these challenges into new opportunities, distinguishing the company from its peers amid the disruptive forces facing the industry.

The ESG Evaluation by S&P Global Ratings is a cross-sector, relative analysis of a company's ability to operate successfully both now and in the future. The resulting scores reflect an organization's sustainability efforts and can help investors better understand the company's strategy, purpose and management quality, especially in the increasingly important areas of environmental, social and governance.

This recognition comes in concurrence with NextEra Energy's announcement of a new emissions reduction goal. For decades, NextEra Energy has been reducing emissions through the development of renewable energy and modernization of its generation fleet. The company's new goal is to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions rate by 67% by 2025, from a 2005 baseline. This equates to a nearly 40% reduction in absolute CO₂ emissions, despite the company's total expected electricity production almost doubling over that time.

"We are pleased to be recognized for our leading ESG efforts by S&P Global Ratings," said Jim Robo, NextEra Energy chairman and CEO. "We are deeply committed to doing well by doing good, and that means respecting our environment, providing value for our customers, sustaining our communities, focusing on continuous improvement and innovation, investing in our team and growing shareholder value. Today, we are furthering our commitment to the environment with the announcement of a new goal to continue reducing our carbon dioxide emissions. This goal underscores our deep commitment to environmental protection and stewardship, one of the key areas of our company's sustainability efforts. At NextEra Energy, we firmly believe that we have an unprecedented opportunity to shape how energy is produced and delivered. By investing in smart infrastructure and innovative clean energy solutions, we're helping build a sustainable energy future that is affordable, efficient and clean, while at the same time creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating economic benefits for the communities we serve."

NextEra Energy's environmental and social activities can be explored more in depth in its annual sustainability report, which was recently published and is now available at NextEraEnergy.com/Sustainability. The report includes performance-based data regarding NextEra Energy's ESG activities in 2018, as well as highlights the company's leadership in renewable energy and battery storage, significant investments in infrastructure, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, commitment to community, customer and employee support, and focus on innovation and continuous improvement.