Paper giant Kimberly-Clark pays lip service to Corporate Social Responsibility
Toronto, April 25, 2005 – Greenpeace today released a business report entitled Kimberly-Clark, Investing in Forest Destruction: A Report on the World’s Largest Manufacturer of Tissue Products, Green Consumerism and Socially Responsible Investment. The report highlights tissue product manufacturer Kimberly-Clark’s (KMB:NYSE) controversial use of ancient forest fibre for its disposable products and points out its false claims of environmental responsibility..
International environmental organizations have recently launched a public initiative critical of Kimberly-Clark for its role in the destruction of ancient Boreal forests in Canada. The groups, including Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace, are urging Kimberly-Clark to increase the use of recycled fibre and put an end to the sourcing of fibre from ancient and endangered forests, keeping them in step with other consumer products companies who have already acted to protect forests.
“Companies that are genuinely concerned about being good corporate citizens are to be commended and supported financially. Kimberly-Clark’s continued use of Boreal forest fibre for toilet paper and facial tissue runs counter to its claims that it is an environmentally responsible company,” said Richard Brooks, Greenpeace Forests Campaigner. “A corporate environmental policy is more than just a public relations exercise, it’s about a genuine commitment to protecting the environment in every aspect of a corporation’s activities.”
Timed to coincide with the release of Kimberly-Clark’s earnings statement today and its annual meeting later this week, the report also outlines the rise of Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) and the growing demand by consumers for ‘green’ or environmentally preferable products. Assets in socially screened investment portfolios under professional management topped the US$2 trillion mark in 2001 and continue to rise. Those companies with negative environmental standards and/or which are subject to environmental controversy are increasingly being dropped from SRI portfolios.
“Investors are increasingly looking at environmental and social outcomes when they invest because these often translate into increased profits and a clear conscience,“ added Brooks. “If you’re looking to invest in a progressive forest products company then Kimberly-Clark is not for you.”
Despite its claims of environmental concern, Kimberly-Clark continues to source virgin tree fibre from Canada’s Boreal forest, buying pulp from logging companies that engage in unsustainable clearcutting. The Boreal forest, considered the Amazon of the north, is the largest remaining North American ancient forest, representing 25 per cent of the world’s ancient forests. It is home to 40 per cent of North America’s waterfowl and provides habitat for lynx, grizzly bear, wolf and woodland caribou, a species at risk.
Companies such as Home Depot, Boise Cascade, Staples, and Office Depot have all recently made commitments to protect ancient and endangered forests.
Click here to download the report
For more information contact:
Richard Brooks, Greenpeace Canada Forests Campaigner, cell. 416-573-7209
Andrew Male, Greenpeace Communications Coordinator, cell. 416-880-2757
High resolution photos and video b-roll are available upon request.
