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Kimberly-Clark announces a new commitment to social impact to reach 1 billion people and the goal of halving its key environmental footprint by 2030

Kimberly-Clark has announced its new sustainability strategy and goals for 2030 that aim to address the social and environmental challenges of the next decade with commitments to improve the lives and wellbeing of one billion people in underserved communities around the world with the least environmental footprint.

“These extraordinary times remind us why our goal is more important than ever. Our values, which have guided us for nearly 150 years, will continue to shape our response to the challenges ahead, ”said Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark.

"I am inspired by our ambition to promote the wellbeing of a billion people around the world and proud of the significant environmental commitments we make to address the environmental impact of our products."

The company's ambitious strategy is described in the company's 2019 global sustainability report, which reflects the progress made towards the company's 2022 sustainability strategy and its linchpin by 2030.

"It's great to see Kimberly-Clark set such an ambitious new social goal by 2030," said Sally Uren, general manager of the forum for the future. “There is also no doubt that we have entered a decade in which decisive action is vital if we hope to survive and prosper in the next century and beyond. It is exciting to see how much a company with so many touch points on our health focuses on human well-being. Achieving such goals in protecting natural systems will not be easy, but implementing these ambitions will help transform the systems we rely on today and enable future generations to thrive. "

Kimberly-Clark and its trusted brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Andrex, Cottonelle, Scott, Kotex and Dependprovide a quarter of the world's population with the essentials for a better life every day.

However, millions of people around the world still do not have access to basic products and solutions that could dramatically improve their quality of life – either because they cannot access them or can afford them, or because of social stigmas associated with them. Fulfilling these unmet social needs is the basis for our new ten-year commitment – to promote the well-being of a billion people in vulnerable and underserved communities.

The new goal will create positive social outcomes by creating shared value for people's health and wellbeing in all phases of life, questioning stigmatization, promoting the advancement of women everywhere, and promoting a world where everyone has access to have clean water and sanitation.

"We improve life when we break down barriers and create opportunities with our dedicated brands and products," said Alison Lewis, Kimberly-Clark's chief growth officer. "Reaching a billion people is certainly an ambitious goal that will require a major change in our efforts so far, and we are ready to accept it."