KKR to launch ESG report

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, the global private equity and asset management group, will publish a report on its approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices by the end of the year, according to head of European operations Johannes Huth.

Huth was delivering a keynote address at the PEI Responsible Investment Forum in London on Thursday, in which he described the private equity industry as being “uniquely positioned” as able to use its mandate as a long-term investor to “do well by doing good”.

“There is no doubt in KKR’s mind – with more than 60 companies in the portfolio – that actively managing ESG topics is critical to creating value,” said Huth.

Details of what will be contained in this year’s ESG report have not yet been finalised, said director of European corporate affairs Ludo Bammens. KKR already publishes some details of its ESG processes on its website as well as providing links to the ESG programmes of portfolio companies.

Earlier this month KKR revealed that through its Green Portfolio Programme, it had saved $160 million in operating costs across eight portfolio companies including US Foodservice, Dollar General and SunGard Data Systems.

More than 300 private equity professionals have registered for the PEI Responsible Investment Forum, the first global private equity gathering solely focused on ESG topics.