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Kao Recognized as Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP
for the Eighth Consecutive Year
- CDP, a global non-governmental organization, has recognized Kao as the highest rated Supplier Engagement Leader for the eighth consecutive year.
- The Supplier Engagement Assessment evaluates companies that works with suppliers on tackling climate change
Kao Corporation has been recognized as a Supplier Engagement Leader for the eighth consecutive year in the Supplier Engagement Assessment, organized by CDP, an international non-governmental organization. Kao has received recognition for its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions with its suppliers throughout the entire supply chain and tackle climate change.
The Supplier Engagement Assessment is based on responses to questions related to supplier engagement in CDP’s Climate Change questionnaire. The assessment also takes into account the score in the Climate Change category, and Kao received the highest rating of ‘A’ in the latest results for 2024.
Naoshi Nakamoto, Executive Officer in Charge of Kao’s procurement, comments, “We are extremely proud to have been selected as a Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP for the eighth consecutive year. At Kao, we strive to strengthen sustainable supply chains that take into account resource protection, environmental conservation and safety, human rights, etc. through the relationships of trust we have built over many years with suppliers and our problem-solving expertise. We will continue to work with suppliers to further enhance ESG procurement and drive efforts to realize our mission of a Kirei life for all.”
Working with Suppliers to Tackle Climate Change
Aiming to realize a decarbonized society and sustainable business, Kao is developing innovative technologies and working with stakeholders to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the value chain in order to achieve carbon zero in 2040 and carbon negative in 2050.
One of the 19 leadership action themes of Kao’s ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, is the procurement of responsibly sourced raw materials. In accordance with its Policies for Procurement, Kao has also established guidelines for Partnership Requirements for Suppliers, ESG Promotion Activities with Suppliers, and “High-Risk” Supply Chain Management and Sourcing, and is implementing various measures with the aim of promoting cooperation with suppliers to reduce CO2 emissions.
- Utilizing the CDP Supply Chain Program
Every year, Kao requests its major suppliers to respond to CDP’s Supply Chain Program questionnaire regarding their decarbonization initiatives. Suppliers are, in addition to the score given by CDP, informed of Kao’s evaluation as well, thus allowing them to further CO2 reductions within their respective companies.
- The Kao Vendor Summit
The Kao Vendor Summit is held every year as a place to share information and exchange opinions with important suppliers. In order to promote cooperation, Kao’s ESG initiatives are introduced, such as decarbonization, followed by an explanation of the importance of participating in the CDP Supply Chain Program and checking the traceability of raw materials.
Related Information
About the Kirei Lifestyle Plan
Over the past 130 years, Kao has worked to improve people’s lives and help them realize more sustainable lifestyles—a Kirei Lifestyle. The Japanese word “kirei” describes something that is clean, well-ordered, and beautiful all at once. For Kao, this concept of “kirei” not only describes appearance but also attitude—a desire to create beauty for oneself, for other people, and for the natural world around us. Aiming to realize a more sustainable way of living, in April 2019, the Kao Group established its ESG strategy known as the Kirei Lifestyle Plan. By 2030, Kao aims to empower at least 1 billion people, to enjoy more beautiful lives. Kao also strives to have 100% of its products leave a full lifecycle environmental footprint that science says our natural world can safely absorb.
Please visit the Kao sustainability website for more information.
About Kao
Kao, a Japan-based manufacturer of personal care and household products, cosmetics, and specialty chemicals creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its brands such as Attack laundry detergent, Bioré and Jergens skin care products, Laurier sanitary products, Curél, SENSAI, and MOLTON BROWN cosmetics, and Oribe hair care products, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Combined with its chemical business, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,630 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 32,600 people worldwide and has more than 130 years of history in innovation. As an enterprise that provides products people use on a daily basis, the Kao Group takes responsibility to actively reduce the environmental footprint of its products throughout the product lifecycle. This is laid out in Kao’s ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, which launched in 2019.
Please visit the Kao Group website for additional information.
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