Kimberly-Clark Corporation has been named a 2009 Energy Star Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award recognizes K-C's ongoing efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its operations. K-C's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 31.
Kimberly-Clark is committed to achieving energy efficiency targets for its manufacturing processes and has set energy conservation goals for each of its facilities. K-C estimates it increased its worldwide energy efficiency by 3.2 percent in 2008 over 2007, while reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 2.2 percent. The company's energy efficiency initiative is generating annual cost savings of more than $80 million compared to 2005 efficiency levels.
In choosing Kimberly-Clark as an Energy Star Partner of the Year, EPA recognized the company's comprehensive approach to energy management, which includes rigorous tracking of energy usage at K-C facilities, the use of more energy efficient equipment and lighting fixtures, programs to raise employees' awareness of their role in improving energy efficiency, and greater use of renewable energy sources including landfill gas and biomass to power manufacturing sites and offices.
"In these challenging economic times, our focus on energy efficiency is generating real cost savings for our businesses, while helping us improve sustainability, reduce our environmental impact and preserve resources for the future," said Drew Barfoot, Kimberly-Clark's vice president of environment, energy, safety, quality and sustainability. "This recognition as an EPA Energy Star Partner of the Year underscores our commitment to weaving sustainability through every aspect of our business."
Kathleen Hogan, director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at the U.S. EPA said, "EPA is pleased to recognize Kimberly-Clark for leadership in addressing global warming through greater energy efficiency. Because commercial and industrial facilities account for about half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, Kimberly-Clark's efforts are vital to protecting our global environment."
The Energy Star award follows K-C's recent ranking by EPA as the ninth largest green power user among Fortune 500 companies based on its use of renewable energy resources. In addition, last October K-C received its second consecutive Environmental Excellence award from EPA's SmartWay Transportation Partnership for leadership in conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gases.
For the fourth consecutive year, Kimberly-Clark ranked No. 1 in 2008 among personal products companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. The DJSI World rankings are based on the long-term economic, environmental and social performance of leading global companies across 57 industries.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people – 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, Andrex, Scottex, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries.