The Canadian media and research organisation Corporate Knights, which has been publishing a ranking of the world's 100 most sustainable companies for years, has ranked the 50 most sustainable companies in Europe. Kesko ranks the highest among its `Grocery Stores' peer group and of all Finnish companies included, and 26th on the list overall.

The `Europe 50' list is based on the same corporate sustainability data as the `Global 100' listing published in January 2026. It uses three main criteria to assess the sustainability of the companies, namely the share of sustainable investments and revenue and the growth momentum in sustainable revenue. 

"The changes in our world require constant development from companies in all areas of sustainability. We can, for example, significantly reduce our transport emissions by growing the fleet of EV trucks. When it comes to sustainable choices, we can support our customers by offering products with e.g. origin labelling and sustainability certifications as well as healthier alternatives that align with nutrition recommendations," says Noomi Jägerhorn, Kesko's Vice President of Sustainability.

Kesko is continuously developing new operating models in areas such as the circular economy.

"We are currently piloting reusable take away containers in two of our grocery stores. In the building and technical trade division, we joined forces with a partner last year to develop the first industrial-scale material recycling solution in Finland for wood packaging waste," says Jägerhorn.

Kesko's new near-term and long-term science-based emission reduction targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in January 2026. Kesko employs sustainability guidelines in the sourcing of products that contain raw materials identified as critical from a social and environmental responsibility perspective. Kesko aims to raise the share of women in its top management to 40% and in middle management to 45% by 2030. 

Corporate Knights Inc. comprises the sustainability-themed Corporate Knights magazine and a research division that produces corporate sustainability rankings and ratings. Corporate Knights has been publishing its annual `Global 100' listing since 2005, and launched the `Europe 50' listing in 2025.

Further information:
Noomi Jägerhorn, Vice President, Sustainability, tel. +358 105 323 392, noomi.jagerhorn@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

Europe 50 listing: These top European firms are stepping up their sustainable growth | Corporate Knights

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Kesko and K-retailers together form K Group, whose retail sales total around €15 billion. K Group is the leading trading sector operator in Northern Europe and it employs approximately 39,000 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 19,000 people. Kesko's chain operations include approximately 1,700 stores in Finland, Sweden,  Norway, Denmark, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Kesko's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. The company's domicile and main premises are in Helsinki. www.kesko.fi