Why Sustainability is Central to Kenvue's Strategy
Kenvue, renowned as the parent company of brands like Listerine and Neutrogena, holds a global influence that directly impacts carbon dioxide emissions.
With this influence comes a responsibility towards sustainable practices.
The company has actively explored ways to enhance the sustainability of its various brands through meticulous procurement strategies, as highlighted in its second annual Healthy Lives Mission Report.
Thibaut Mongon, Chief Executive Officer at Kenvue, underscored the scope of the company's influence: "Having some of the most recognisable consumer brands in the world gives us a tremendous opportunity to create a positive impact for the millions of people we touch every day," he states.
Thibaut elaborates on the firm commitment towards sustainability by adding: "Whether improving our packaging to be more sustainable, advancing the decarbonisation of our operations or giving back to our communities, our sustainability strategy is helping meet customer and consumer expectations, and deliver everyday care for generations to come."
Steps taken towards sustainable procurement
Kenvue has already achieved a 37% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions since its baseline year in 2020.
Alongside this, there has been a 21% decrease in the use of virgin plastics, moving towards the ultimate goal of recyclable or refillable packaging, which currently stands at 69%.
The initiative extends to include 97% of the companyās paper and wood fibre being certified or verified as recycled.
Kenvue's sustainable procurement also involves implementing onsite solar systems in 13 countries. This effort, coupled with multiple power purchase agreements for wind and solar energy, signifies that 72% of Kenvueās electricity is drawn from renewable sources.
Waste management and risk mitigation
A significant 78.1% of Kenvueās total waste has been diverted through recycling, reuse or waste-to-energy initiatives.
Additionally, the company has instituted comprehensive policies and risk assessments aimed at managing active pharmaceuticals, aligning procurement practices with sustainable goals, including take-back programes for unused medicines.
Crisette Arcilla, Senior Manager in Corporate Affairs for Asia Pacific, highlights the embedded nature of sustainable practices within Kenvueās operations: "I am proud to be part of a company where sustainability isnāt a buzzword. Through my comms role, I have been able to witness and learn about so many inspiring examples of how our teams are taking action towards a healthier future, and Iām grateful to be part of the journey."
Sustainability targets for future procurement
In advancing its sustainable efforts, Kenvue has set ambitious future targets.
The company aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030 and commits to having 75% of its suppliers adopt science-based Scope 3 emission targets by 2028.
The company is also targeting 100% recyclable or refillable packaging by 2025 and a 50% reduction in virgin plastics by 2030.
Furthermore, a shift to achieve 100% certified or verified recycled paper and wood fibre packaging by 2025 is in underway, ensuring all paper-based materials sourced are of low-risk origin.
By 2030, Kenvue wishes to demonstrate improved environmental performance in 75% of new product developments using scientific evaluations.
Jennifer Duran, Group Head of Sustainability at Kenvue, expresses her anticipation for this enhanced integration.
āIām excited about the deeper integration of our Healthy Lives Mission within our business strategy," she says.
"I am looking forward to reinforcing the connections between sustainability, growth, innovation and our commitment to help people realise the extraordinary power of everyday care.
"We have the right strategy in place and our goals are set but there is a lot of work ahead as we balance short-term mitigation with longer-term resilience-building efforts.
"Whatās important is maintaining our focus on our material topics and being thoughtful and strategic about the choices we make in how we manage them."
Focusing on innovation within procurement strategies is crucial, as it represents a pathway of opportunity for growth while simultaneously managing risk and enhancing resilience across Kenvueās business and value chain.
Through its procurement initiatives, Kenvue is illustrating that sustainability is not merely a component of its strategy, but a core philosophy driving its progress forward.
