Kohl's Announces 2025 Sustainability Goals with Focus on Climate Action, Waste and Recycling, and Sustainable Sourcing

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) today announced sustainability goals with a focus on three key areas: climate action, waste and recycling, and sustainable sourcing. The goals support and accelerate the company’s commitment to seeking solutions that focus on long-term sustainability.

“At Kohl's we are committed to being a responsible corporate citizen, making our communities stronger by supporting initiatives and organizations that focus on health and wellness, sustainability, and environmental efforts that benefit all families,” said Michelle Gass, Kohl’s chief executive officer. “We are proud to share our sustainability goals that support Kohl’s efforts to enhance our standing as a retailer of purpose.”

Kohl’s sustainability initiatives are part of the company’s corporate social responsibility platform. The company’s sustainability strategy is guided by leveraging business practices and decisions that enhance the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Kohl’s sustainability goals include quantitative targets in areas that the company has identified opportunity for significant impact. Kohl’s sustainability goals are as follows:

Climate Action

Kohl’s climate action goals are focused on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increase of renewable energy use.

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Kohl’s-owned operations by 50% versus 2014 baseline by 2025.
• Further reduce energy consumption by 10% at Kohl’s facilities by 2025, building off of the company’s existing 20% reduction against 2008 baseline.
• Expand renewable energy platforms by building off the company’s existing 161 solar and wind locations.
• Support the transition to a low-carbon transportation system, building off of the company’s existing 96 locations offering electrical vehicle charging.

These goals support the SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13 Climate Action goals.

Waste and Recycling

Kohl’s waste and recycling goals are focused on the management of all wastes, reducing waste generation and promoting relevant recycling information to customers.

• Divert 85% of Kohl’s U.S. operational waste from landfills by the end of 2025.
• Label 100% of Kohl’s-owned branded packaging with the How2Recycle® label by 2025.
• Reduce the amount of plastic and cardboard in Kohl’s-owned branded packaging.

These goals support the SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production goal.

Sustainable Sourcing

Kohl’s sustainable sourcing goals are focused on the efficient use of natural resources and environmentally sound management of chemicals within the company’s owned branded products.

• Achieve 100% sustainably sourced cotton in Kohl’s proprietary brands by 2025.
• Achieve 50% of products containing polyester to be made with recycled materials in Kohl’s proprietary brands by 2025.
• Require all approved facilities producing Kohl’s private- and exclusive-branded products to complete the Higg Index Environmental Module by 2025.
• Utilizing the Higg Index, drive substantial water reduction use in the production of Kohl’s-owned branded products by 2025.
• Emphasize the elimination and reduction of chemicals in Kohl’s-owned brand products and strive for a zero-discharge supply chain of hazardous chemicals, building off of the company’s existing chemical sustainability program. ­

These goals support the SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production goal.

The company is committed to monitoring and reporting performance and progress against these goals within the company’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Kohl’s is proud to have been recognized in 2019 with the following awards and recognitions for significant progress implementing its environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives:

• 2019 Barron’s Top 100 Sustainable Companies
• 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Index
• 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute
• U.S. Department of Energy Better Building Challenge Achiever, surpassing the company’s 2018 goal to reduce energy consumption by 20%
• 2019 EPA ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award, for the eighth consecutive year
• 2018 EPA Smartway Shipper

To learn more about Kohl’s commitment to sustainability, visit Kohls.com/Sustainability.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including 2019 earnings guidance. Kohl's intends forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause Kohl's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A in Kohl's Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in Kohl's filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements relate to the date initially made, and Kohl’s undertakes no obligation to update them.

About Kohl’s

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading omnichannel retailer with more than 1,100 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, Kohl’s offers amazing national and exclusive brands, incredible savings and an easy shopping experience in our stores, online at Kohls.com and on Kohl's mobile app. Since its founding, Kohl's has given more than $700 million to support communities nationwide, with a focus on family health and wellness. For a list of store locations or to shop online, visit Kohls.com. For more information about Kohl’s impact in the community or how to join our winning team, visit Corporate.Kohls.com or follow @KohlsNews on Twitter.

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