Water

Water use in own operations

Water use in Kesko’s properties, such as warehouses, office spaces, and stores, is mainly commercial water use. The majority of the measured water consumption occurs in properties located in Finland.

Water Efficiency Programme

Water Efficiency Programme addresses the role of water in our own operations. The programme focuses on reviewing our water use, measuring and monitoring relevant water indicators, and improving efficiency by reducing unnecessary water use in our operations. Through these efforts, we aim to ensure sustainable water use in our own properties.

Water Efficiency Programme is available here.

Water risks in the supply chains

Our most significant impacts on water consumption arise from the products’ supply chains through the products we sell, particularly products that originate from areas suffering from water scarcity or contamination. Almost half (47%) of the water footprint of Finnish consumption arises outside Finland through the supply chains of the products we consume (source: WWF, Suomen vesijalanjälki (in Finnish)).

All of the own brand fruits and vegetables we import to Finland are GLOBALG.A.P. certified. The criteria for GLOBALG.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practice) certification also include a requirement on good water management. In addition, Kesko’s sustainability policies and the grocery trade’s certifications for sustainable products include criteria for water consumption and the minimisation of water risks. For example, the BCI certification for cotton production, the Rainforest Alliance certification and the Fairtrade certification include criteria related to sustainable water use.

Assessment of water risks related to avocado purchasing

In 2018, we conducted an extensive survey on the water risks related to our own avocado purchases. The aim of the survey was to identify the areas in the supply chain which have problems related to scarcity or contamination of water.

It takes as much as 400 to 2,000 litres of water to grow one kilo of avocados. Therefore, the water footprint of avocado farming is significant.

As part of the risk assessment, we used WWF’s water risk tool to individually examine all the 280 primary producers around the world from which Kesko purchases avocados for K-food stores. Among other things, the assessment showed us that water risks may vary considerably within a country or a region.

On the basis of the survey, we will increasingly put emphasis on purchases from areas with the least water risks. Purchases from the most problematic area, Petorca, Chile, were terminated in 2018.

All avocados purchased by Kesko are GlobalGAP certified. The environmental requirements of GlobalGAP certification include a requirement on good water use.