Kimberly-Clark Group

Overall approach

5/16
- Overarching commitment on deforestation
  
  2/6
  
  Deforestation commitment
  
  Zero-net-deforestation
  
  2/6
  
  "Support the Consumer Goods Forum commitment to zero net deforestation by 2020."
  
  Open source document
- Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
  
  1/1
  
  Signatory
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  Which initiatives?: Consumer Goods Forum Deforestation resolution (being a member of the CGF is not sufficient); UN Global Compact; WWF Global Forest & Trade Network
  
  If Other Initiative, specify::
  
  "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
  
  Awareness
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  "Protecting our forests is critical to conservingterrestrial biodiversity, safeguarding forestdependent communities around the world andmitigating climate change."
  
  Open source document
- Deforestation as a business risk
  
  0/1
- High-level management of deforestion
  
  1/1
  
  High-level management
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  Which commodities does it apply to?: Pulp & Paper
  
  How often does the committee or board meet to assess company's progress on addressing deforestation-related issues?: annually
  
  "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
  
  0/3
- Reporting on emissions from land-use change
  
  0/3
- Disclosure of conservation activity
- Disclosure of reforestation activity
Commodity score

45/84
- Pulp & Paper
  
  45/84
  - Commitment Strength
    
    22/28
    - Commitment to protect priority forests
      
      9/12
      - Commitment details
        Zero-gross deforestation
        
        6/8
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Zero-gross deforestation
        
        6/8
        
        Which 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 applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        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
      - Target date
        2025
        
        0.5/1.3
        
        Target date
        
        2025
        
        0.5/1.3
        
        "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
      - Interim target date
        Yes
        
        0.7/0.7
        
        Interim target date
        
        Yes
        
        0.7/0.7
        
        "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
      
      7/8
      - Commitment details
        Yes
        
        4/4
        
        Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        
        Yes
        
        4/4
        
        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 pursueopportunities to increase the use of recycled fiber in its products and packaging asappropriate. 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 ofenvironmentally preferredfibers – e.g., recycled andalternative fibers"
        
        Open source document
        Open source document
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        "K-C regards recycled fiber as an environmentally-responsible fiber and will pursueopportunities to increase the use of recycled fiber in its products and packaging asappropriate. 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 ofenvironmentally preferredfibers – e.g., recycled andalternative fibers"
        
        Open source document
        Open source document
      - Target date
        2025
        
        0.5/1.3
        
        Target date
        
        2025
        
        0.5/1.3
        
        "50% reduction of our Natural (Northern) Forest Fiber footprint by 2025"
        
        Open source document
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.7
    - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
      
      7/8
      - 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
        
        2/2
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        "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
        No target date
        
        0/1.3
      - Interim target date
        Yes
        
        0.7/0.7
        
        Interim target date
        
        Yes
        
        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
  - Social Considerations
    
    6/18
    - 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 ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
      
      2/4
      
      Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      
      Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
      
      2/4
      
      "Our preferencefor FSC®-certified fiber supply andcommitment to zero deforestation; free,prior and informed consent (FPIC); andprotection of high conservation value forestecosystems, including peat lands, helps usprotect forests."
      
      Open source document
  - Reporting and Implementation
    
    16/38
    - Reporting against commitments
      
      4/6
      - Commitment to protect priority forests
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        (Downstream only) How many hectares of deforestation and/or conversion have occurred since the commitment cut-off date in the operations of the company's direct or indirect suppliers?: 0 not specified
        
        Does the company report on the degree of compliance/progress with commitments, disaggregated by relevant factors such as origin or supply chain stage?: Yes
        
        (Downstream only) How much of this is in protected areas, primary forests, intact forest landscapes, and/or peatlands?: 0 not specified
        
        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
        
        2/2
        
        Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        Does the company report on the degree of compliance/progress with commitments, disaggregated by relevant factors such as origin or supply chain stage?: Yes
        
        "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
        
        0/2
        
        Commitment to a traceable supply chain
        
        No
        
        0/2
        
        Does the company report on the degree of compliance/progress with commitments, disaggregated by relevant factors such as origin or supply chain stage?: Yes
    - Reporting is independently verified
      
      1/4
      - Commitment to protect priority forests
        Yes: third-party
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Yes: third-party
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        For what percent of the company’s supply volume is third-party verification of performance relative to commitments conducted?: 100%
        
        Which processes or groups does the company use for third party verification?: FSC Certificaiton
        
        What percent of the company’s supply volume is verified using company verification systems?: 100%
        
        Which tools, approaches, third-party verification, including certification, schemes are used?: FSC Certificaiton
        
        "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
        
        0/1.3
      - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
        No
        
        0/1.3
    - Deforestation cut off date
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      Deforestation cut off date
      
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      Cut-off date: 2007
      
      "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
      
      Risk assessments for forest risk
      
      No
      
      0/2
      
      For what percentage of material produced or sourced by the company has forest risk been assessed?: 100%
      
      How frequently are assessments conducted?: Not specified
    - Operations assessed to comply with law
      No
      
      0/2
    - Accessible grievance mechanism
      Yes
      
      4/4
      
      Accessible grievance mechanism
      
      Yes
      
      4/4
      
      What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, focused on social issues, focused on environmental issues, etc.)?: K-C Compliance Helpline
      
      Details of the mechanism: Social; Environmental
      
      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
      Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume; Reporting certified/compliant volume
      
      4/4
      
      Report volumes of commodity
      
      Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume; Reporting certified/compliant volume
      
      4/4
      
      Which certification schemes are used?: FSC
      
      What is the non-certified/non-compliant volume?: 963,000MT
      
      For what percent of the company's supply volume is third-party verification of performance relative to commitments conducted?: 70%
      
      What is the certified volume?: 2,247,000MT
      
      Data is held in table form at the bottom of their 2018 report - "As part of our 2011 global GF&TN agreement with WWF, we will report our total use of environmentally preferred fiber for all fiber-containing products. Virgin pulp will include all Kimberly-Clark manufactured pulp, purchased market pulp and third-party contract-manufactured fiber-containing products. Kimberly-Clark began collecting fiber data from third-party contract manufacturers in 2009."
      
      Open source document
    - Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
      No disclosure
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      Yes for its suppliers only
      
      3/4
      
      Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      
      Yes for its suppliers only
      
      3/4
      
      For what percent of suppliers does the company directly monitor compliance of production or processing operations?: 100%
      
      How frequently is compliance assessed?: Annually
      
      Details of monitoring: Using certification; Using internal monitoring and verification systems
      
      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: 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
      
      What criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: Non-compliance with Fiber Procurement Policy
      
      Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: Yes
      
      "Supplier Fiber CertificationIn 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

22/28

Avg. score
Reporting and Implementation

16/38

Avg. score
Social considerations

6/18

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

Cosmetics & 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.