Kimberly-Clark Named Sector Leader for Improving Deforestation Risk in Supply Chain

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Nov 22, 2013, 12:33 ET

DALLAS, Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Corp. has been named an industry leader in CDP's annual report on 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). The survey respondents' combined market capitalization is approximately $3 trillion, according to CDP. This year's forests report ranked Kimberly-Clark as the world sector leader for household and personal care products. Kimberly-Clark 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 Kimberly-Clark. "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."

"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," said Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP. "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 to their peers to help promote and share better practices.

As a sector leader, Kimberly-Clark 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

About CDP
CDP is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 722 institutional investors with assets of $87 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions. Please visit www.cdp.net to find out more.

About CDP's forests program
CDP's forests program was formerly known as the Forest Footprint Disclosure Project. In June 2012, CDP and the Global Canopy Programme (GCP) announced an alliance to merge the GCP Forest Footprint Disclosure Project with CDP. This strategic merger brings corporate disclosure on the climate, water and forests under one roof, resulting in the world's largest and most comprehensive natural capital disclosure system, and provides companies and investors with a single, integrated source of information for these interrelated issues.

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust K-C's brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, HUGGIES, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the Company's 141-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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