Kimberly-Clark Corp., Dallas, Texas, USA, has been named an industry leader by the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), U.K., for its efforts to assess and minimize deforestation risks across its global supply chain, earning the top ranking for three of the past four years. CDP, a global not-for-profit organization that measures and reports environmental impacts, ranked 139 companies in this year's forests annual report (formerly known as the Forest Footprint Disclosure Project).
 

This year's forests report ranked K-C as the world sector leader for household and personal care products. K-C also was a sector leader for two consecutive years, 2010 and 2011, under the former Forest Footprint Disclosure Project.

"Kimberly-Clark is proud of the efforts we have made to address deforestation risk in our supply chain through an industry-leading fiber-procurement policy, inclusive stakeholder engagement practices, and an active risk-management program," said Lisa Morden, senior director of global sustainability for K-C. "We're motivated to deliver essentials for a better life to more people worldwide while reducing the environmental impacts on the world in which we live."

Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP, said that "we applaud the work of Kimberly-Clark, which has demonstrated leadership in the steps they have taken to address deforestation risks in their supply chain. Many other companies do not understand their potential exposure to these risks. At CDP, we provide the world's largest system to enable businesses to disclose and understand these operational, reputational, and supply chain risks, while alerting investors to the value implications."

CDP's forests annual report summarizes how many of the world's largest companies are managing their exposures to the risk of deforestation in their operations and supply chains related to one or more of the major five "forest risk" commodities: timber products, palm oil, soy, cattle products, and biofuels. Participants receive feedback on their strengths and weaknesses compared with their peers to help promote and share better practices.

As a sector leader, K-C has earned distinction for its efforts to complete the following, among other actions:

• Complete a full risk assessment of the major forest risk commodities in its supply chain
• Work beyond the first-tier suppliers to identify country of origin for these commodities, and exact location of origin, whenever possible
• Specify use of certified commodities where available
• Set targets for 100% certified materials or designate suitable alternatives.