Kesko receives international recognition for encouraging its 360 major suppliers to cut emissions
Kesko requires its major suppliers to set science-based emissions reduction targets by 2026. The global environmental organisation CDP named Kesko as a Supplier Engagement Leader in recognition of its exemplary encouragement of suppliers to take climate action.
The majority of the trading sector’s emissions arise from primary production, manufacture, packaging, transport and the use of products. This is why Kesko sees it necessary to extend emissions reductions throughout the supply chain.
Kesko’s target is for 67% of its largest suppliers and service providers to have science-based emissions reduction targets by the end of 2026. To reach this target, Kesko challenges suppliers to reduce emissions and report on these efforts through the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire.
“We are focusing on our largest suppliers because they have the most significant impact on emissions reductions. The results are beginning to show: in the first year, we invited more than 180 suppliers to join the challenge, and more than 360 suppliers were invited last year,” says Riikka Joukio, EVP, Sustainability and Public Affairs at Kesko.
Each year, CDP assesses how successful companies have been in committing their suppliers to taking climate action. The top 8% of companies are selected as Supplier Engagement Leaders. Kesko has been a Supplier Engagement Leader for three consecutive years since 2021.
Kesko has ambitious emissions reduction targets for its own operations and the supply chain
In 2017, Kesko was the first company in Finland to set science-based 2°C emissions reduction targets approved by the SBTi for its own operations and supply chain. In the autumn of 2021, the SBTi approved Kesko’s stricter emissions reduction targets, through which the company contributes to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Kesko is committed to reducing emissions in its own operations and throughout its value chain (Scopes 1, 2 and 3).
Further information:
Riikka Joukio, EVP, Sustainability and Public Affairs, Kesko, tel. +358 105 323 712, riikka.joukio@kesko.fi
Hanna Jaakkola, Vice President, Investor Relations, Kesko, tel +358 105 323 540, hanna.jaakkola@kesko.fi
K Group media desk, tel. +358 105 350 200, viestinta@kesko.fi
Kesko and K-retailers together form K Group, whose retail sales total around €16 billion. K Group is the third largest trading sector operator in Northern Europe and it employs approximately 45,000 people. Kesko operates in grocery trade, building and technical trade, and car trade. Its divisions and chains act in close cooperation with retailer entrepreneurs and other partners. Kesko's net sales total around €12 billion and it employs approximately 18,000 people. Kesko has approximately 1,800 stores engaged in chain operations in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Kesko’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. The company's domicile and main premises are in Helsinki. www.kesko.fi