The Canadian media and research organisation Corporate Knights has been publishing a ranking of the world's 100 most sustainable corporations for years. Now for the first time, it has listed the 50 most sustainable companies in Europe.

In the new `Europe 50' ranking, Kesko ranks best in the `Grocery Stores' peer group, and 19th on the list overall.

"We are thrilled to have ranked as the best company in our peer group in Europe in this new list. Tackling global challenges related to climate and nature and assuring the sustainability of supply chains require continuous development from companies. With the increase in EU sustainability regulation, expectations for European companies are high in all areas of corporate sustainability," says Lasse Luukkainen, Executive Vice President, Legal and Sustainability at Kesko.

The Europe 50 ranking is drawn from a sustainability assessment of more than 620 European listed companies, based on 25 indicators related to environmental and social responsibility and good corporate governance. The Europe 50 ranking uses the same sustainability data as Corporate Knights' Global 100 ranking.

Kesko's sustainability strategy, which was last updated in 2024, sets clear sustainability targets for Kesko and its three business divisions, with four focus areas: climate and nature, value chain, our people, and good governance.

"A key area for our sustainability strategy is the reduction of emissions throughout the value chain. We have set emission reduction targets extending to year 2034 for our own operations, and we are committed to setting net-zero emission targets for the whole value chain, extending to year 2050. Over the next ten years, we will be increasing investments in energy efficiency and the electrification of transports in an effort to reduce emissions," says Luukkainen.

Corporate Knights Inc. comprises the sustainability-themed Corporate Knights magazine and a research division that produces corporate sustainability rankings and ratings. Since 2005, Corporate Knights has published an annual Global 100 ranking of the world's most sustainable companies: Kesko is the only company in the world to have made the Global 100 list every single year.
 
Further information:
Lasse Luukkainen, EVP, Legal and Sustainability, tel. +358 105 322 818, lasse.luukkainen@kesko.fi
Hanna Jaakkola, Vice President, Investor Relations, tel. +358 105 323 540, hanna.jaakkola@kesko.fi
K Group media desk, tel. +358 105 350 200, viestinta@kesko.fi

The Europe 50 ranking

DISTRIBUTION
Main news media
www.kesko.fi

Kesko and K-retailers together form K Group, whose retail sales total around €16 billion. K Group is the leading trading sector operator in Northern Europe and it employs approximately 45,000 people. Kesko operates in grocery trade, building and technical trade, and car trade. Its divisions and chains act in close cooperation with retailer entrepreneurs and other partners. Kesko's net sales total around €12 billion and Kesko employs approximately 18,000 people. Kesko's chain operations include approximately 1,700 stores in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Kesko's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. The company's domicile and main premises are in Helsinki. www.kesko.fi