DALLAS, June 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On the
doorstep of a decisive decade for climate change, Kimberly-Clark
has announced expanded new targets for greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
and aligned with the goals of the Paris Climate
Agreement.
Kimberly-Clark's ambitions for 2030 include a commitment to
reduce the carbon footprint of its operations and supply chain for
its trusted brands, including Huggies®,
Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®,
Kotex® and Depend® by 50 percent for absolute
Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions (direct and indirect) from its
operations. The commitment also includes a 20 percent reduction in
absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services
and end of life treatment of sold products. Both targets are based
on a new 2015 base year.
"Setting and achieving aggressive climate goals has been part of
Kimberly-Clark's sustainability journey for 25 years," said
Lisa Morden, Vice President of
Safety, Sustainability and Occupational Health, Kimberly-Clark.
"The adoption of new carbon footprint goals and the alignment with
SBTi demonstrate Kimberly-Clark's commitment to safeguard natural
systems."
Targets are considered "science-based" if they align with what
is necessary to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above
pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C,
according to the latest climate science.
Alberto Carrillo Pineda,
Director of Science Based Targets at CDP, one of the Science
Based Targets initiative partners, said: "We congratulate
Kimberly-Clark on setting emissions reduction targets in line with
what science says is needed to meet the Paris Agreement. Companies
have a vital role to play in driving down global emissions and it
is encouraging to see major players taking such ambitious action
across their operations and supply chain."
The Science Based Targets initiative was formed by CDP, the
United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and
the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to empower companies to set
GHG reduction targets that are in line with the Paris Climate
Agreement.
"The new 2030 goals will challenge us to innovate new solutions
to meet these ambitious science-based emissions reduction targets
and expand our focus beyond our manufacturing sites into our entire
supply chain," said Juan Marin,
Global Energy Solutions Manager, Kimberly-Clark. "Our teams
around the world have developed outstanding plans for conservation,
renewable energy and alternative energy that have driven our
results thus far. We're excited to take the next step."
Kimberly-Clark previously doubled its 2022 GHG reduction target
from 20 percent to 40 percent after meeting its initial 2022 goal
four years ahead of schedule. In 2019, the company achieved a 34.7
percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions over a 2005
baseline.
Future Expansion to Include Forest Carbon Footprint
In keeping with the science-based climate commitments announced
today, Kimberly-Clark is working to establish a baseline of its
forest carbon footprint by measuring the biogenic carbon impacts of
the company's fiber mix across virgin wood fiber, recycled fiber
and sustainable alternative non-wood fibers. Once
established, this baseline will enable forest land use emissions to
be integrated into future Scope 3 GHG emissions reduction
objectives.
"We cannot fully address climate change without also addressing
how we think about, use and account for forests," said
David Chaffin, Responsible
Materials Sourcing Program Leader, Kimberly-Clark. "Our ongoing
efforts to reduce our use of natural forest fiber from high-carbon
value forests and increase our use of environmentally preferred
fibers such as plantation-grown wood, alternative non-wood and
recycled fibers will continue to be important levers for lowering
our forest carbon footprint."
Kimberly-Clark will release the remainder of its 2030 ambitions,
and the company's 2019 Global Sustainability Report, in early
July.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and
its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in
more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an
understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products
that help individuals experience more of what's important to them.
Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex,
Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus,
Neve, Plenitud, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share
position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support
a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our
business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with the latest
news and to learn more about the company's 148-year history of
innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or
Twitter.
[KMB-C]
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kimberly-clark-receives-sbti-approval-for-its-expanded-science-based-climate-goals-301081538.html
SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation