“The expectations investors and other stakeholders have towards companies are growing all the time, and to be successful in tight competition, companies must excel in all areas of sustainability. The fact that Kesko ranks as the top company in its industry in sustainability in Europe and No. 3 globally is proof that our sustainability strategy adopted in spring 2022 and related measures are guiding our sustainability work in the right direction,” says Riikka Joukio, Kesko’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Public Affairs.
More than 3,500 listed companies worldwide were invited to take part in the assessment process for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices this year. The top companies in each industry worldwide were selected for index inclusion in the DJSI World based on the assessment results, while the DJSI Europe includes top companies in sustainability in Europe.
For the first time, Kesko ranked No. 1 in its industry (Food & Staples Retailing) in the DJSI Europe. Other sector companies included in the index were Metro and Ahold. Finnish companies included in the DJSI World alongside Kesko this year were Neste, UPM-Kymmene, Valmet and Wärtsilä.
This year, there was a bigger focus in the Dow Jones sustainability assessment on elements such as corporate emission targets, management of climate risks, and principles on occupational health and safety. Kesko’s environmental efforts overall were deemed the best in the industry. Kesko received the full 100 points on, for example, operational eco-efficiency, environmental reporting, management of water-related risks, and climate risk analysis within the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.
Development of sustainability efforts continues on many fronts
Sustainability is at the core of K Group’s strategy. K Group is targeting carbon neutrality by 2025, with zero emissions from its own operations and transports by 2030. Emission reduction targets extend to the whole value chain: two-thirds of Kesko’s direct suppliers must set science-based emissions reduction targets by 2025.
“Our sustainability efforts continue on many fronts. We are currently working on a roadmap for healthy nutrition, with the objective of making healthier choices as easy as possible in our grocery stores. We are also improving sustainability competencies among our people: upcoming efforts will include an online course for all employees on how to promote diversity, inclusion and equity,” says Joukio.
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