Over 1500 companies now employ the Global Reporting Initiative’s guidelines to evaluate performance on sustainability, environmental impact and responsible marketing, with Kellogg’s just releasing their first. The GRI guidelines have become increasingly popular since the sustainability reporting framework concept was first created in 1999, with the guidelines the most commonly used around the world.

David Mackay, President and CEO of Kellogg Company, said that companies could no longer take a back seat to the sustainability challenge. “Corporate responsibility has always been at the foundation of Kellogg Company and a key part of our heritage and culture,” said David Mackay, president and chief executive officer, Kellogg Company. “Now more than ever, it’s important to (make quality food) while minimising environmental impacts and positively addressing global challenges. Our customers, consumers, investors and other stakeholders expect it of us – and we expect it of ourselves.”

Kellogg is reporting at a GRI-checked application level of “B” and hopes to improve in four key areas: environment, marketplace, workplace and community.

Environment
In conjunction with its inaugural report, Kellogg has set a goal of 15 – 20 per cent reductions in energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste per metric tonne of food produced by 2015, relative to 2005 baselines.

Marketplace
“We recognize that our success in the marketplace depends on continually earning consumers’ trust by meeting their evolving needs for nutritious and enjoyable foods that are sourced, manufactured and marketed responsibly,” said Celeste Clark, senior vice president, global nutrition and corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer, Kellogg Company.

By the end of 2008, Kellogg advised they had delivered on a commitment to shift products marketed to kids under 12 to only those that meet a set nutritional profile.

Looking ahead, Kellogg Company said they are planning to continue reformulating and expanding nutritious food choices as well as improving consumer information and education; evaluating and improving the effectiveness of health and nutrition education programs; and sourcing responsibly, including meeting increased supplier diversity spending targets.

Workplace
Kellogg Company pledged to provide learning and development opportunities for its employees and invest further in diversity and inclusion programs and recruitment as it attempts to “build a work force that is representative of consumer demographics”.

Community
Kellogg Company provides financial support, volunteers and food to organizations in the communities in which it operates – and beyond, with future activities to include greater emphasis on those programs that align with their objectives as a global food company, they stated.

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