DALLAS, July 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark
has announced its new 2030 sustainability strategy and goals, aimed
at addressing the social and environmental challenges of the next
decade with commitments to improve the lives and wellbeing of one
billion people in underserved communities around the world with the
smallest environmental footprint.
"These extraordinary times remind us why our purpose is more
important than ever. Our values, that have guided us for nearly 150
years, will continue to shape our response to the challenges
ahead," said Mike Hsu, Chairman
and CEO, Kimberly-Clark. "I am inspired by our ambition to
advance the well-being of one billion people around the world and
proud of the significant environmental commitments that we are
making to address the impact our products have on the
environment."
The ambitious strategy is outlined in the company's 2019 Global
Sustainability Report, which reflects progress towards the
company's Sustainability 2022 strategy and its pivot to 2030.
"It's great to see Kimberly-Clark setting such an ambitious new
social goal to 2030," said Sally
Uren, Chief Executive, Forum for the Future. "There is
also no doubt that we have entered a decade where decisive action
will be critical if we hope to survive and thrive through the next
century and beyond. It's exciting to see such strong focus on human
well-being, from a business with so many touchpoints with our
health. Achieving such goals while protecting natural systems will
not be easy, but delivery of these ambitions will help transform
the systems we rely on today and allow future generations to
flourish."
Trusted Brands at the Leading Edge of Social Impact
Kimberly-Clark and its trusted brands, including
Huggies®, Kleenex®, Andrex®,
Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kotex® and
Depend®, deliver essentials for a better life to one
quarter of the world's population every day. Yet millions around
the world still lack access to basic products and solutions that
could dramatically improve their quality of life – either because
they can't access or afford them, or because of associated social
stigmas. Meeting these unmet societal needs is the foundation for
our new ten-year commitment – to advance the well-being of one
billion people in vulnerable and underserved communities.
The new goal will create positive social outcomes by creating
shared value in three areas:
- Caring for the health and well-being of people at all stages of
life;
- Challenging stigmas and championing the progress of women
everywhere; and
- Championing a world where all enjoy access to clean water and
sanitation.
"We make lives better when we break down barriers and create
opportunities with our purpose-driven brands and products," said
Alison Lewis, Chief Growth
Officer for Kimberly-Clark. "To reach a billion people is
certainly an ambitious goal that requires a significant step change
from our previous efforts, and we are ready to take it on."
Safeguarding Natural Systems
Kimberly-Clark understands that a strong and enduring focus on
the smallest environmental footprint is just as essential to
helping people live a better life. To that end, the company is
focused on the areas where it can make the biggest difference –
climate, forests, water and plastics.
"Kimberly-Clark's success is dependent on innovating new ways to
give consumers the essentials they need while safeguarding natural
systems and the life they support," said Lisa Morden, Vice President of Safety,
Sustainability and Occupational Health, Kimberly-Clark. "That
means eliminating waste and recovering resources; protecting
forests of high carbon, biodiversity, and cultural value; cutting
greenhouse gas emissions in line with climate science; and building
strong water stewardship practices where it matters most."
Each area of the new environmental strategy aims to reduce the
footprint by half:
- Carbon Footprint – As previously announced, the company
is committed to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations and
supply chain by 50 percent for absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG
emissions (direct and indirect) from its operations, as well as 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. These
targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative
(SBTi) and are aligned with the goals of the Paris Climate
Agreement.
- Forest Footprint – Kimberly-Clark will continue its
previously stated goal to reduce its Natural (Northern) Forest
Fiber footprint by 50 percent by 2025 and increase our use of
environmentally preferred fibers such as plantation-grown wood,
alternative non-wood and recycled fibers. In addition, the
company's 2030 goals will tackle the challenges posed by climate
change and biodiversity loss, and the impact on Indigenous
communities, and communities that depend on forests for their
livelihoods.
- Water Footprint – By 2030, Kimberly-Clark intends to
reduce its water footprint by 50 percent in water stressed regions
by creating meaningful improvements in the supply chain and the
surrounding communities. The impact of water insecurity and water
scarcity is felt across the value chain, from the sources of fiber
to the manufacturing facilities.
- Plastics Footprint – Kimberly-Clark will reduce its use
of new, fossil-fuel based plastics by 50 percent through delivery
of solutions that use more renewable materials and can be
regenerated after use. The strategy builds on the company's
previous leadership in manufacturing waste diversion to tackle
single-use plastics in its products and packaging, and support
innovation in waste collection and circular systems.
"Kimberly-Clark's continued commitment to doing the right thing
underpins our social impact and smallest footprint ambitions,"
added Morden. "Living our purpose begins with ensuring the health
and safety of our customers, consumers, and employees, promoting
diversity and inclusion within our business, and protecting the
rights of workers across our supply chain. These are essential to
our ambitions."
2019 Sustainability Report
In 2019, Kimberly-Clark achieved a number of notable
environmental and social objectives as part of the company's
Sustainability 2022 strategy, including:
- Celebrating five years of the "Toilets Change Lives" program,
which has improved access to sanitation for nearly four million
people in need;
- Expanding Huggies' "No Baby Unhugged" initiative into
Latin America, growing its
potential global impact by nearly two million babies and young
children across 16 countries;
- Combatting stigmas and period poverty by providing menstrual
hygiene education and donations of 11.8 million period products to
those in need;
- Achieving a 34.7 percent reduction in Scope 1 & 2 GHG
emissions (vs. 2005 baseline), on track to achieve its previously
announced 40 percent reduction target by 2022;
- Reducing its natural forests footprint by 31 percent (vs. 2011
baseline) and its water footprint in water-stressed areas by 28.9
percent (vs. 2015 baseline).
- Launching new waste-reduction initiatives that helped
Kimberly-Clark divert 96 percent of its manufacturing waste and
26,300 metric tons of product and packaging waste to value-adding
alternatives.
Kimberly-Clark's 2019 Global Sustainability Report outlines its
2019 results in detail and is organized and presented in accordance
with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability
Reporting Standards. In addition, the report provides the company's
first disclosures against the Sustainability Accounting
Standards Board (SASB) and Task Force on Climate-related
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) frameworks. In the coming years,
the company plans to further evolve its management and reporting
practices to better meet the needs of the investment community
using these frameworks.
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-introduces-ambitious-sustainability-strategy-for-a-decisive-decade-301089760.html
SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation