Company announces it will double its GHG reduction target
after meeting existing goals four years ahead of schedule
DALLAS, July 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark
today published its 2018 Global Sustainability Report, highlighting
the ways in which the company is impacting the world through its
Sustainability 2022 strategy to create social, environmental and
business value.
"We are three years into our ambitious Sustainability 2022
program, and I'm inspired by the impact we've made. Through our
brand-led programs like Toilets Change Lives and No Baby Unhugged,
and our leadership in creating the Alliance for Period Supplies,
we're taking action on critical issues around the world," said
Mike Hsu, Chief Executive Officer,
Kimberly-Clark.
"We've achieved some big goals, but we know that new challenges
to the environment are emerging and consumers' expectations are
shifting. We must continue to leverage our legacy of innovation to
come up with new solutions to meet these needs," added Hsu.
Kimberly-Clark's Sustainability 2022 strategy tracks its
progress against five strategic sustainability pillars – Social
Impact, Forests & Fiber, Waste & Recycling, Energy &
Climate and Supply Chain.
Highlights of the past year include:
- Co-founded the Alliance for Period Supplies to help women and
girls in need access period supplies;
- Met absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals four years
early, down 27% (vs. 2005 baseline);
- Reduced use of fiber from natural forest landscapes by 30%
since 2011;
- Diverted more than 21,000 metric tons of material to higher
value alternatives;
- Reduced our water use at our facilities in high-stress regions
by 24%; and
- Introduction of alternative energy sources across six
manufacturing sites, including wind, solar and cogeneration
projects.
"We have long believed that setting ambitious goals and pursuing
long-term change has a positive impact on our business and on the
world," said Lisa Morden, Vice
President for Safety and Sustainability. "We met key goals this
year around energy and climate well ahead of schedule, which is a
testament to the teams and manufacturing leaders who rallied behind
transformational changes and alternative energy."
The company's energy and climate goals were accelerated by a
combination of LEAN energy, conservation, and alternative energy
projects. Over the past three years, Kimberly-Clark has executed
more than 400 energy conservation projects and deployed LEAN energy
at 37 sites. The company implemented six alternative energy
projects around biomass boilers, lower GHG emitting fuels and
cogeneration. The electricity produced because of the company's
virtual power purchase agreements with two wind farms offset 99% of
the electricity purchased by its Kimberly-Clark Professional
manufacturing sites in the United
States.
"In response to meeting our energy and climate goals early,
Kimberly-Clark will double our GHG reduction target from 20% to 40%
reduction by 2022," added Morden.
Partnerships also played an important role in the company's 2018
results. Kimberly-Clark's consumer and professional businesses
signed on to Wrap UK's Plastics Pact, and the company joined Ocean
Conservancy's Trash Free Seas Alliance as members of the steering
committee. In addition, the company continued to foster strong
relationships with WWF and the Forest Stewardship
Council® (FSC®) and used the partnership to
build consumer awareness of responsible forestry practices.
"This year proved once again that strong partnerships yield
long-lasting results for the environment," added Morden. "While
great progress has been made, there is still work to be done. We
will continue to challenge our teams to drive social and
environmental impact while bringing value to our consumers at the
same time."
The company's 2018 Global Sustainability Report outlines the
company's strategies and results in greater detail and is organized
and presented in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative
(GRI) Sustainability Reporting Standards.
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 147-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-issues-annual-report-on-sustainability-300882601.html
SOURCE Kimberly-Clark