K-Group's work to mitigate climate change in the world's top class

KESKO PRESS RELEASE 4.11.2015 AT 10.00

Kesko rose to CDP's Climate A List for the first time scoring the maximum 100 points. The globally established list consists of 113 selected leading companies considered to be operating in an exemplary manner in the mitigation of climate change. The K-Group's systematic climate work is based on the long-term commitments and energy efficiency objectives of Kesko's responsibility programme.

Kesko was selected as one of the world's leading companies to the Climate A List with the best possible score of 100 points.

Kesko was also included in the Nordic Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) for the fifth consecutive time. Kesko was awarded the full 100 points also in this index.

• International recognition is proof that the K-Group's long-term responsibility work is in the world's top class and focused on the right things. The mitigation of climate change has been one of the key objectives in Kesko's responsibility programme for many years already. We are systematically reducing our environmental impacts in cooperation with the entire supply chain and help our customers make choices for the benefit of the environment, says Kesko's President and CEO Mikko Helander.

The companies that achieve a position on the Climate A List and the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index are defined by the independent organisation CDP. An assessment by CDP has been requested by 822 investors, whose combined investment assets total over a third of the world's invested capital.

Thousands of companies annually submit information to CDP on their work in climate change mitigation and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The best 5% of the assessed companies, 113 this year, are included on the Climate A List.

Energy efficiency at stores, in transportation and products

Kesko has signed the trading sector energy efficiency agreement and committed to improving its annual energy efficiency by 65 GWh by the end of 2016 through various saving measures. By the end of 2014, Kesko had improved its energy efficiency by 59 GWh and achieved 90% of the objective.

Stores' energy-efficient solutions, such as lids and doors of refrigeration equipment, recovery of condensation heat, refrigeration units using carbon dioxide, and adjustable and directional lighting, generate significant energy savings.

The emissions from Keslog's transportation are reduced through, for example, route planning, reverse logistics, two-tier trailers and training in economical driving style.

In autumn 2015, Kesko's grocery trade, Gasum, Myllyn Paras and Wursti entered into cooperation where biogas produced from biowaste collected from retail stores is utilised as energy in the manufacture of new Pirkka products.

Further information is available from Kesko's Matti Kalervo, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, tel. +358 50 306 4081.

Read more about the K-Group's responsibility work and its results at:
http://kesko2014.kesko.fi/en

Kesko in sustainability indices:
http://www.kesko.fi/en/Investors/Share-information/Equity-indices/Sustainability-indices/

CDP's Climate A List and the Global Climate Change Report 2015 have been published at: www.cdp.net
Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World. We are a retail specialist whose chains have about 2,000 stores in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus. Our stores offer quality to the daily lives of consumers.