The Kesko Corporation, a trading sector company, has shown incredible Social Corporate Responsibility in the past few years. Its main responsibilities are to manage retail store chains, and to produce services for those retail chains in order to increase the stores’ abilities in regards to data management, logistics, purchasing, and more. The corporation helps to control over 2,000 stores across eight countries including Finland, Latvia, and Russia.
The Kesko Corporation is a part of the K-Group, which totals around 45,000 people. The stores covered include food, home improvement, and specialty goods. Clearly, the corporation covers a wide variety of stores and responsibilities; it is a key component in many different countries.
On May 3, 2013, the Kesko Corporation published a new Corporate Responsibility Report for 2012. The theme of the 2012 report is, “Let’s do good. Together.” The Corporate Responsibility Report for the Kesko Corporation outlines the different objectives of the corporation, as well as past actions, goals, and results.
Thus far, the corporation has been incredibly successful in improving their stores in regards to energy efficiency. This report is their 13th report as a company, and it focuses on those employees that have focused on social responsibility. The Kesko Corporation has also become more transparent to their customers, particularly in regards to taxes. They have expanded their tax reporting to indirect taxes, as well as income and real estate.
In 2008, Kesko signed an energy efficiency agreement that solidified their commitment to improve energy efficiency by the end of 2016 by 65 GWh (Gigawatt Hours). Their objective was 70% complete by 2012, indicating that their goal will certainly be reached by 2016.
An important goal has already been reached for the Kodin1 department store in Raisio, which sells interior decoration items as well as home goods. It is the first building in the Nordic countries to become a passive commercial building, meaning that the building is incredibly energy-efficient. It follows a rigorous standard in order to reduce its ecological footprint. The Kodin1 store is not alone; many of Kesko’s other stores are rated as ‘very good,’ environmentally with high energy efficiency.
One of Kesko’s goals for the future is to direct all of their waste to recycling or energy recovery, eventually aiming for “zero landfill waste.” One of Kesko’s stores in Kerava, the Anttila’s logistics center, has a recovery rate of about 99%, showing that it is possible to reduce waste an incredible amount if a company is committed to the idea. Some of the energy-saving measures that the Kesko Corporation takes includes recovery of condensation heat, cooling systems, and economical driving.
All of these energy-saving methods help to reduce Kesko’s footprint, help to combat climate change, or at the very least, help to reduce their own contribution to climate change. Among other things, the Kesko Corporation has also pledged to only do business with suppliers that have been able to pass an audit for social responsibility.
If every company acted the same way as the Kesko Corporation, the carbon footprint of the world would be greatly reduced. The Kesko Corporation is a shining example of social corporate responsibility, because they are showing that they care about the world and their customers, and want to reduce any potential harm they are creating through their stores.
– Corina Balsamo
Sources: International Supermarket News, Kesko: Mitigating Climate Change, Kesko Annual Report 2012
Photo: Cardnerd