Kesko is the sector's best in the Nordic climate index

KESKO CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 17.10.2012 AT 14.00 1(2)

Kesko has been awarded the highest score in the 'Consumer Staples' sector in the Nordic Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index. The index comprises the Nordic companies which have displayed the most professional approach regarding climate change information disclosure practices. Kesko was included for the second consecutive time in the index consisting of the best 26 Nordic companies.

The Nordic Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index is based on companies' responses to an extensive questionnaire on greenhouse gas emissions, emissions reduction targets, and risks and opportunities associated with climate change. Companies are scored on the disclosure of their actions taken to mitigate climate change; high scores indicate good internal data management and understanding of climate change related issues affecting the company. Kesko's disclosure score was 88, up eight from last year, which was the highest score for public responses in the Consumer Staples sector. The average disclosure score for all of the 260 Nordic companies was 69.

- Kesko participates in mitigating climate change by saving energy in its operations and increasing waste recycling and recovery. The stores of Kesko's chains offer products and services which make it easy for customers to make choices for the benefit of the environment, says President and CEO Matti Halmesmäki.

The illuminated signs of all new K-Group stores use LED technology. Refrigeration equipment in new K-food stores has lids and doors. Thanks to condensation heat recovery, K-food stores only need distance heat in low sub-zero temperatures.

In the trading sector energy efficiency agreement Kesko has committed to saving 65 GWh of energy by the end of 2016. The amount corresponds to the annual energy consumption of some 3,200 one-family houses.

Kesko is included in several sustainable development indexes

Kesko is included in 'The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World' list and 'The World's Most Ethical Companies' list.

Kesko is included in the FTSE4Good Global and the FTSE4Good Europe indexes focusing on responsible investment.

In the 2012 SAM Sustainability Yearbook, Kesko was selected among sustainability leaders in the Food & Drug Retailers sector.

In 2011 and 2012, Kesko has been awarded by World Finance Magazine for 'the Best Corporate Governance in Finland' in terms of corporate governance development and reporting.

Further information:
Merja Haverinen, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 1053 22764
Satu Kuoppamäki, Corporate Responsibility Advisor, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 1053 22649
www.cdproject.net

Kesko is a highly valued listed trading sector company. It manages retail store chains that are valued by customers and efficiently produces services for retail store chains' purchasing, logistics, network development and data management. Kesko's operations include the food, home and speciality goods, building and home improvement, and car and machine trades. Its division parent companies and chains act in close cooperation with retailer entrepreneurs and other partners. Kesko has about 2,000 stores engaged in chain operations in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Belarus. Kesko and K-retailers form the K-Group, whose retail sales totalled €12 billion (VAT 0%) in 2011. The K-Group employs around 45,000 people. www.kesko.fi