The company, which comes under the microscope due to its significant presence in the diaper and tissue categories, which are both based on wood fibre materials, has attempted to enhance its public image through its comprehensive sustainability report.
The report, entitled Full Circle, highlights the company’s sustainability goals, which focus on the sourcing of materials, launching more environmentally friendly products, reducing waste and encouraging its suppliers to meet both environmental and social criteria.
The GRI rating carries significant credibility in the business world, because it is viewed as the standard to which major businesses, particularly in the manufacturing sector, should aim for.
GRI rating underlines sustainability achievements
"Receiving the A+ GRI rating is a testament to the commitment that our leaders and our employees have to sustainability across our entire value chain involving every function, brand and business at K-C," said Peggy Ward, director, Sustainability Strategy at Kimberly-Clark.
However, Ward also acknowledged the magnitude of the undertaking and the fact that the goals are never ending: "While we are proud of our 2011 progress and the quality level of our sustainability report, we recognize that sustainability is a journey that we will never complete."
To fulfill the A+ rating, Kimberly-Clark met all 79 indicators that are estabilished by the GRI which including the categories of Economic Performance, Labour Practices, Human Rights, Environmental Practices, Society and Performance and Product Responsibilities.
Particular to its scoring, the company said it managed to source 99.9 per cent of its fibre from suppler certified by sustainable forestry practices, as well as generating 13 per cent of its total 2011 net sales from environmentally innovative products.
Givaudan attains B+ GRI rating
Earlier this year, Swiss flavours and fragrance firm Givaudan has released its sustainability report for 2011 confirming the steady progress the company is making towards its 2020 operational targets that was developed along GRI guidelines.
The report was prepared using the GRI’s G3 Reporting Guidelines and externally assured by Ernst &Young. GRI confirmed that Givaudan fulfilled the necessary requirements for Application Level B+.
Its release comes right after the company’s Annual General Meeting, attended by 324 shareholders or proxies, in which the annual reports and accounts for 2011 were approved.