Kimberly-Clark Group

Overall approach

3/12
- Overarching commitment on deforestation
  
  0/4
- Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
  
  1/1
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  "Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) today announced that it has become a participant of the United Nations Global Compact" [...] "Support the Consumer Goods Forum commitment to zero net deforestation by 2020." [...] Kimberly-Clark a leader in sustainably-made personal care products, today announced a unique three-year agreement and collaboration with World Wildlife Fund (WWF)"
  
  Open source document
  Open source document
- Awareness of the value of forests
  
  1/1
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  "Protecting our forests is critical to conserving terrestrial biodiversity, safeguarding forest dependent communities around the world and mitigating climate change."
  
  Open source document
- Deforestation as a business risk
  
  0/1
- High-level management of deforestion
  
  1/1
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  Which commodities does it apply to?: Pulp & Paper
  
  "Board Oversight and Governance. Our Board has established and approved the framework for our sustainability-related policies and procedures, including environmental stewardship, energy and climate, fiber sourcing [...] Each year we meet with investors on corporate governance matters, including executive compensation, board composition and refreshment and corporate social responsibility and sustainability. [...] Our Board oversees risk management, including risks related to environmental and social issues. The Board is focused on our long-term business strategy, including fostering sustainability-driven innovations, and incorporates our sustainability risks and opportunities into its overall strategic decision-making. Sustainability risk areas for our company include shifting consumer preferences toward sustainable choices, supply chain risks related to water security and deforestation."
  
  Open source document
- Executive compensation linked to deforestation
- Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
  
  0/2
- Reporting on emissions from land-use change
  
  0/2
- Disclosure of conservation activity
- Disclosure of reforestation activity
- Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  What is the target date for the company to achieve their climate target?: 2030
  
  Type of climate target: Other or unclear
  
  By 2030: "Reduce our absolute GHG emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2), over a 2015 base year, by 50%"
  
  Open source document
Commodity score

39/88
- Pulp & Paper
  
  39/88
  - Commitment Strength
    
    15/20
    - Commitment to protect priority forests
      
      4/8
      - Commitment details
        Protects priority forests (including High Conservation Value)
        
        2/6
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Protects priority forests (including High Conservation Value)
        
        2/6
        
        Which certification schemes are used?: FSC
        
        "Kimberly-Clark has pledged to support WWF’s efforts to protect High Conservation Value forests by funding the development of tools for identifying, mapping, and monitoring high conservation values in priority regions."
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        Yes
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        "Kimberly-Clark has pledged to support WWF’s efforts to protect High Conservation Value forests by funding the development of tools for identifying, mapping, and monitoring high conservation values in priority regions."
        
        Open source document
      - Target date
        Current/achieved
        
        0.7/0.7
        
        Target date
        
        Current/achieved
        
        0.7/0.7
        
        "Kimberly-Clark has pledged to support WWF’s efforts to protect High Conservation Value forests by funding the development of tools for identifying, mapping, and monitoring high conservation values in priority regions."
        
        Open source document
      - Interim target date
        NA (target date current or achieved or 2022)
        
        0.3/0.3
        
        Interim target date
        
        NA (target date current or achieved or 2022)
        
        0.3/0.3
        
        "Kimberly-Clark has pledged to support WWF’s efforts to protect High Conservation Value forests by funding the development of tools for identifying, mapping, and monitoring high conservation values in priority regions."
        
        Open source document
    - Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
      
      5/5
      - Commitment details
        Yes
        
        3/3
        
        Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        
        Yes
        
        3/3
        
        Type of commitment: Recycled content; Reduction of material inputs; Use of alternative fibres
        
        "K-C regards recycled fiber as an environmentally-responsible fiber and will pursue opportunities to increase the use of recycled fiber in its products and packaging as appropriate. In selecting recycled fiber, K-C will give preference to post-consumer sources of recycled fiber." "50% reduction of our Natural (Northern) Forest Fiber footprint by 2025 [...] Increase our use of environmentally preferred fibers – e.g., recycled and alternative fibers"
        
        Open source document
        Open source document
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        Yes
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        "K-C regards recycled fiber as an environmentally-responsible fiber and will pursue opportunities to increase the use of recycled fiber in its products and packaging as appropriate. In selecting recycled fiber, K-C will give preference to post-consumer sources of recycled fiber." "50% reduction of our Natural (Northern) Forest Fiber footprint by 2025 [...] Increase our use of environmentally preferred fibers – e.g., recycled and alternative fibers"
        
        Open source document
        Open source document
      - Target date
        2025
        
        0.3/0.7
        
        Target date
        
        2025
        
        0.3/0.7
        
        "50% reduction of our Natural (Northern) Forest Fiber footprint by 2025"
        
        Open source document
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.3
    - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
      
      6/6
      - Commitment details
        Traces to Point of production
        
        4/4
        
        Commitment to a traceable supply chain
        
        Traces to Point of production
        
        4/4
        
        "K-C will track and report annually the amount of wood fiber it purchases from suppliers certified under each of the forest certification systems. [...] As part of its verification system, K-C will work with suppliers and others to develop methods of effectively tracing wood fiber to its forest source"
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        Yes
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        "K-C will track and report annually the amount of wood fiber it purchases from suppliers certified under each of the forest certification systems. [...] As part of its verification system, K-C will work with suppliers and others to develop methods of effectively tracing wood fiber to its forest source"
        
        Open source document
      - Target date
        Current/achieved
        
        0.7/0.7
        
        Target date
        
        Current/achieved
        
        0.7/0.7
        
        "K-C will track and report annually the amount of wood fiber it purchases from suppliers certified under each of the forest certification systems. [...] As part of its verification system, K-C will work with suppliers and others to develop methods of effectively tracing wood fiber to its forest source"
        
        Open source document
      - Interim target date
        NA (target date current or achieved or 2022)
        
        0.3/0.3
        
        Interim target date
        
        NA (target date current or achieved or 2022)
        
        0.3/0.3
        
        "K-C will track and report annually the amount of wood fiber it purchases from suppliers certified under each of the forest certification systems. [...] As part of its verification system, K-C will work with suppliers and others to develop methods of effectively tracing wood fiber to its forest source"
        
        Open source document
  - Social Considerations
    
    8/18
    - Labour rights in the supply chain
      Yes
      
      4/4
      
      Labour rights in the supply chain
      
      Yes
      
      4/4
      
      Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
      
      "Our policies align with the goals of several international standards, including the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. [...] We expect our suppliers to follow these standards and requirements: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining [...] Protection Against Child Labor [...] Prohibit Forced Labor and Abuse of Labor [...] Prohibit Discrimination"
      
      Open source document
    - Inclusion of small-scale farmers
      No
      
      0/4
    - Gender equality in the supply chain
      No commitment
      
      0/4
    - Commitment to remediation
      No
      
      0/2
      
      Commitment to remediation
      
      No
      
      0/2
      
      Our suppliers are required to source responsibly and adhere to our Supplier Social Compliance Standards [..] We engage independent third-party audit firms to conduct Supplier Social Compliance audits (on-site inspections) of selected suppliers of certain commodity categories, particularly contract manufacturers. If an assessment reveals that the supplier is in violation of our Supplier Social Compliance Standards, we require that the supplier submit documentation showing that violations have been addressed and remediated. We conduct additional follow-up audits at our discretion to confirm compliance with our Supplier Social Compliance Standards. Any concerns regarding suppliers or our compliance program can be reported to our Corporate Social Compliance team as specified on our Corporate Social Compliance website."
    - Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      Yes, the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
      
      4/4
      
      Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      
      Yes, the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
      
      4/4
      
      "Our preference for FSC®-certified fiber supply and commitment to zero deforestation; free, prior and informed consent (FPIC); and protection of high conservation value forest ecosystems, including peat lands, helps us protect forests."
      
      Open source document
    - Commitment to resolve land conflicts
      No
  - Reporting and Implementation
    
    16/50
    - Reporting against commitments
      
      0/2
      - Commitment to protect priority forests
        Yes, for partial or unclear commodity exposure
        
        0.8/1.7
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Yes, for partial or unclear commodity exposure
        
        0.8/1.7
        
        Does the company report on the degree of compliance/progress with commitments, disaggregated by relevant factors such as origin or supply chain stage?: Yes
        
        Progress is reported yearly in a table format within this document - "Kimberly-Clark hereby sets the goal that by the year 2025, 90% of its fiber supply for its global tissue products will consist of Environmentally-Preferred Fiber. In the spirit of continuous improvement, Kimberly-Clark intends to achieve its 90% goal by targeting an increase in the quantity of Environmentally-Preferred Fiber from wood and/or alternative fiber supply at a rate of 5% every three years. [...] Environmentally-Preferred Fiber will consist of the following sources: (i) Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC)-certified fiber; (ii) recycled fiber (RF); and (iii) sustainable alternative natural fiber1."
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        Yes, for all commodity exposure
        
        1.7/1.7
        
        Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        
        Yes, for all commodity exposure
        
        1.7/1.7
        
        "2019 tissue fiber sourcing: 31% recycled fiber [...] We were also able to achieve a 31% reduction in our use of natural forest fiber compared to our 2011 baseline, as we continue to drive towards a 50% decrease by 2025."
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
        No
        
        0/1.7
    - Reporting is independently verified
      
      1/1
      - Commitment to protect priority forests
        Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme.
        
        1/1
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme.
        
        1/1
        
        Which processes or groups does the company use for third party verification?: FSC
        
        Which tools, approaches, third-party verification, including certification, schemes are used?: FSC
        
        "K-C commits to purchase 100% of its wood fiber from suppliers that have had their forestry operations or wood fiber procurement activities certified to one of the following third-party verified forest certification systems. K-C will give preference to wood fiber certified under Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) standards." [...] "Kimberly-Clark hereby sets the goal that by the year 2025, 90% of its fiber supply for its global tissue products will consist of Environmentally-Preferred Fiber. In the spirit of continuous improvement, Kimberly-Clark intends to achieve its 90% goal by targeting an increase in the quantity of Environmentally-Preferred Fiber from wood and/or alternative fiber supply at a rate of 5% every three years. [...] Environmentally-Preferred Fiber will consist of the following sources: (i) Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC)-certified fiber; (ii) recycled fiber (RF); and (iii) sustainable alternative natural fiber1."
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        No
        
        0/1
      - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
        No
        
        0/1
    - Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
      Yes, required
      
      2/2
      
      Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
      
      Yes, required
      
      2/2
      
      "K-C commits to purchase 100% of its wood fiber from suppliers that have had their forestry operations or wood fiber procurement activities certified to one of the following third-party verified forest certification systems. K-C will give preference to wood fiber certified under Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards." [...] "Kimberly-Clark hereby sets the goal that by the year 2025, 90% of its fiber supply for its global tissue products will consist of Environmentally-Preferred Fiber. In the spirit of continuous improvement, Kimberly-Clark intends to achieve its 90% goal by targeting an increase in the quantity of Environmentally-Preferred Fiber from wood and/or alternative fiber supply at a rate of 5% every three years. [...] Environmentally-Preferred Fiber will consist of the following sources: (i) Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified fiber; (ii) recycled fiber (RF); and (iii) sustainable alternative natural fiber1."
      
      Open source document
    - Deforestation cut off date
      Yes, for partial sourcing regions/operations
      
      1/2
      
      Deforestation cut off date
      
      Yes, for partial sourcing regions/operations
      
      1/2
      
      "K-C may use wood fiber harvested from forest lands that are converted after March 15,2007 to tree plantations only if the supplier can demonstrate, through certification byFSC or another forest certification system recognized under this policy, that the preexisting forest lands were not Special Forest Areas and only if the use of such woodfiber meets all of the other requirements of these Instructions."
      
      Open source document
    - Collaborative actions
      No
      
      0/2
    - Risk assessments for forest risk
      No
      
      0/2
    - Operations assessed to comply with law
      No
      
      0/2
    - Accessible grievance mechanism
      Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
      
      2/4
      
      Accessible grievance mechanism
      
      Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
      
      2/4
      
      Which issues does the grievance mechanism cover?: Social; Environmental
      
      What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, etc.)?: Own
      
      Does the company publish grievances that have been made against it, as well as responses and resolutions including status and timeframes: No
      
      "Each of us has an obligation to ask questions or raise concerns if we suspect that misconduct has occurred, or if a K-C employee or third party acting on behalf of K-C has violated the K-C Code, K-C policies, or laws. You do not need to be certain that a violation has occurred before speaking up [...] The K-C HelpLine is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, in native languages where K-C’sfacilities are located. A professional company that is independent of K-C will take yourinformation and then promptly report it to the Global Ethics & Compliance team for review. Youmay contact the K-C HelpLine directly by telephone, e-mail, or web:– Telephone: 1-844-KC-HELP1 or 1-844-524-3571 (United States) For local or toll-free HelpLine numbers in other countries, seewww.KCHelpLine.com– E-mail: KCHelpLine@kcc.com– Web: www.KCHelpLine.com"
      
      Open source document
    - Report volumes of commodity
      No reporting
      
      0/2
    - Report verified volumes of commodity
      No disclosure
      
      0/6
    - Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
      Yes, commit to monitoring compliance with labour/worker rights
      
      2/4
      
      Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
      
      Yes, commit to monitoring compliance with labour/worker rights
      
      2/4
      
      "Kimberly-Clark routinely utilizes independent third-parties to assess suppliers’ compliance with the SSCS." (Supplier Social Compliance Standards)
      
      Open source document
    - Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      Yes, for its suppliers production or primary processing operations in its supply chains
      
      4/4
      
      Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      
      Yes, for its suppliers production or primary processing operations in its supply chains
      
      4/4
      
      Details of monitoring: Using certification; Using internal monitoring and verification systems
      
      For what percent of suppliers does the company directly monitor compliance of production or processing operations?: 100%
      
      How frequently is compliance assessed?: Annually
      
      What percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: 100%
      
      "K-C has implemented a verification system for our wood fiber procurement activities that is global in scope, sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that our systems and controls meet the objective of using environmentally responsible fiber, and applies our stated preferences in accordance with this policy. As part of its verification system, K-C will work with suppliers and others to develop methods of effectively tracing wood fiber to its forest source. [...] K-C will track and report annually the amount of wood fiber it purchases from suppliers certified under each of the forest certification systems."
      
      Open source document
    - Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
      
      1/2
      
      Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      
      Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
      
      1/2
      
      What type of support does the company offer to its suppliers to help them achieve compliance with commitments?: Action plan for compliance
      
      Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: Yes
      
      What criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: Non-compliance with Fiber Procurement Policy
      
      "Supplier Fiber Certification In the event that a supplier to Kimberly-Clark does not have certification of its forest lands or wood fiber procurement activities, the supplier will be given reasonable time to achieve certification. If a supplier is not in compliance with any applicable provisions of this policy, we will take appropriate action to address such non-compliance, which may include (i) an action plan for compliance or (ii) termination or non-renewal of the supply contract. Upon request, supplier must provide data demonstrating compliance."
      
      Open source document
    - Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
      No disclosure
      
      0/2
Commitment strength

15/20

Avg. score
Reporting and Implementation

16/50

Avg. score
Social considerations

8/18

Avg. score

Profile

Kimberly-Clark is a leading personal care, health and hygiene company. The company manufactures a wide range of paper and pulp based products under well-known brand names such as Huggies, Kleenex, Scott and Pull-ups. Operating across the globe, Kimberly-Clark supplies over 175 country markets and has a large market share in its field. Kimberly-Clark Group is selected as a powerbroker for pulp & paper and paper packaging.

Sector

Industry sector

Personal care, Personal care, Paper & packaging

Segments

Trader, Manufacturer

United States

Company Type

Company type

Public listed

Collective Commitments

Consumer Goods Forum member

New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

Depend, Poise, Plenitud, Huggies, Pull-Ups, DryNites, Little Swimemrs, Kleen Bebe, Green Finger, Kotex, Intimus, Camelia, Kleenex, Andrex, Cottonelle, Scottex, Page, Neve, Wondersoft, Viva

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

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Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.