Kao Rated Triple-A for Climate Change, Water Security, and Forests for Fourth Consecutive Year by CDP

Leading international nonprofit organization, CDP, has included Kao Corporation in its prestigious ‘A List’ across three categories for the fourth year in a row. Kao received the highest triple-A score for its sustainability initiatives involving climate change, forests, and water security. Selection onto the list was determined by a global survey of businesses and an evaluation of their activities. More than 21,000 firms were evaluated for the ‘A List’, with only 10 selected for inclusion across the three categories. Kao has now been included in the Climate Change ‘A List’ for the fifth time, the Forests ‘A List’ for the fourth time, and the Water Security ‘A List’ for the seventh time.
 
Dave Muenz, Director and Managing Executive Officer in charge of Kao’s ESG Division, comments, “We are honored to receive a triple-A score in CDP’s rankings for the fourth year in a row. Our commitment to addressing environmental and social issues by working across the entire product lifecycle together with all of our stakeholders is long-standing and steadfast. At Kao, our decisions are made keeping in mind not only the now, but the future of the people we serve, society, and the resilience of our business. It is a privilege that this approach together with our actions has earned us this recognition once again. In order to fulfil our duty as a CDP ‘A List’ company, we will continue to take future-minded action across our portfolio.”
 
As an enterprise that provides products people use on a daily basis, the Kao Group has the responsibility for
taking active steps to reduce the environmental footprint of its products throughout the product lifecycle. In April 2019, Kao launched its ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, and has been promoting the Kao Group Mid-term Plan since 2021 with its vision of ‘protecting future lives’ and ‘sustainability as the only path.’
 
The inclusion of Kao in the Climate Change, Forests, and Water Security ‘A Lists’ is the result of efforts being
made across its value chain. To further decarbonization, Kao has set its goals of achieving carbon zero by 2040 and carbon negative by 2050. To reach these goals, Kao has built its first plant using biomass heat at its chemical plant in Spain. And to further reduce plastic use, Kao has launched a new bottle refill for its CuCute dishwashing liquid. By reducing the thickness of the bottle walls, it succeeded in using 40%*1 less plastic for its packaging, which will help reduce CO2 emissions related to the container manufacturing, disposal, and recycling processes. In the forests area, Kao has created a “Palm Oil Dashboard” on its website, which provides information on its palm oil procurement activities. Palm oil is one of Kao’s most important natural resources: the Dashboard provides information on Kao’s policies for sustainable procurement of this resource, its mid- to long-term plan for addressing challenges concerning palm oil, the latest traceability information, and the most up-to-date mill map. Information on the SMILE (Smallholder
Inclusion for Better Livelihood & Empowerment) program for supporting independent oil palm smallholders in Indonesia, the grievance mechanism, progress on sourcing RSPO*2-certified products, and the amount of
credits purchased from independent oil palm smallholders is also available through the Dashboard. With regard to water security, Kao launched Attack ZERO Perfect Stick laundry detergent, which was developed through technological advances making it possible to launder with just one rinse, even when using powdered detergent. Key to these efforts will be conducting and maximizing scenario analyses relating to climate  change, forests, and water security by identifying risks and opportunities and integrating plans and actions into Kao’s business strategy.
 
*1 By weight, compared to existing packaging
*2 Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
 
Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP, said: “Congratulations to all the companies on CDP’s A List, and those  companies that started or accelerated their journey towards environmental transparency in 2023 – we saw a 24% increase of disclosures last year and that trajectory is to be applauded. It is only by laying the groundwork of disclosure that companies can show they are serious about the vital part they play in securing a net-zero, nature-positive future. Earning a place on the A List is about more than the score. It’s an  indication of high quality, complete data that equips companies with a holistic view of their environmental impact, serves as a baseline for transition plans and – crucially – enables them to follow through on their
ambitions. As we move deeper into the Decade of Action, and as CDP continually raises the bar for what represents environmental leadership, the work of A List companies is never complete. We look forward to seeing all companies turn their commitments into further and more meaningful and effective action.”
 
By integrating ESG into the core of company management, for example by taking active steps in relation to climate change, forests, and water security, Kao will develop its business, provide better products and services for consumers and society, and work toward its purpose, “to realize a Kirei world in which all life lives in harmony.”