The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC)
Vote Yes: Proposal #6 Provide a report regarding
the assessment of water quality and potential risks in agricultural supply chain operations
Annual Meeting: May 4, 2023
CONTACT: Christopher Richardson, Shareholder
Advocacy Associate, Mercy Investment Services
crichardson@Mercyinvestments.org
| ● | The Kraft Heinz Company (“Kraft Heinz” or “the Company”) is uniquely exposed
to water related climate risk, potentially impacting its ability as a premier food and beverage manufacturer. While our company has
committed and reduced their water related risks in direct operations, they have failed to show that they are managing water-related supply
chain impacts and disruptions that could lead to increased input prices and a reduction in revenue. |
| ● | Kraft Heinz lags its competitors in assessing and disclosing on supply chain water related risk.
Many of the Company’s primary competitors have taken the steps to identify and report supply chain water-related risks, set time-bound
reduction targets, and integrate those risks and goals into governance and oversight strategies. |
| ● | As water becomes a pressing issue, consumers, investors, and the public will demand better action on
water throughout industry supply chains or will be at risk for severe financial and market share losses. With more data being disclosed
about the future ramifications of water scarcity, increased expectations will also rise to properly address those concerns or be at risk
for bottom-line reductions along with investor pullback. |
Shareholders are urged to vote “FOR” proposal # 6.
Shareholders of Kraft Heinz request
the Company conduct and report to shareholders, using quantitative indicators where appropriate, an assessment to identify the water risk
exposure of its supply chain, and its responsive policies and practices to reduce the risk and prepare for water supply uncertainties
associated with climate change.
Supporting statement
Proponents request the report disclose,
at management’s discretion:
| · | Identification of water assessment tools used
by Kraft Heinz or its suppliers to assess supply chain water related risk |
| · | Results of water risk assessments across agricultural supply chain, including
identifying the regions of at-risk ingredient production and supply chains |
| · | Any additional monitoring of supply chain water resources |
| · | Water scarcity planning and responsive actions |
| · | A description of how water management is integrated into governance mechanisms |
| · | A description of water-related engagement with value chain partners |
Kraft Heinz is uniquely exposed to water related
climate risk, potentially impacting its ability to operate as a premier food and beverage manufacturer.
Supply chain water related risks include higher commodity price volatility
and decreasing reliability of supplies. Research has shown the potential financial related impacts due to water could be three times higher
than carbon related risks.1
A recent MSCI analysis of food companies in its All-Country World Index
(ACWI) found that $459 billion in revenue may be at risk from lack of water availability for irrigation or animal consumption, and $198
billion could be at risk from changing precipitation patterns affecting current crop production areas.2
Kraft Heinz clearly recognizes the materiality of water to its business,
noting in its 2022 Sustainability Report, “As a food and beverage company, having access to sufficient amounts of quality fresh
water, both now and in the future, is critical to our business. Water is used in many areas of our value chain. It is a vital input for
growing various agricultural ingredients we use in our products.”3
Deloitte has stated “With demand escalating and climate change
worsening, it is hard to predict the price and availability to critical resources with any level of certainty. To see the true picture,
companies should analyze their entire value chain and translate those risks into dollars and cents. A bottom-line perspective provides
the CEO, COO, and CFO with a tangible understanding of the business value at risk and how best to allocate capital to mitigate any current
or projected risks.”4
With Antarctica as the only continent unaffected by an otherwise worldwide
drought, this indicates it may continue globally, and risks related to climate lie not just in Kraft Heinz’s operations but also
in the supply chain where the company sources most of its ingredients.5
Kraft Heinz lags its competitors in assessing
and disclosing on supply chain water related risk.
Food and beverage companies are starting to understand the best way
to manage water risks involve not only assessing operations but value chains as well then using that information to conduct strategic
and scenario analyses to develop plans for mitigation.
_____________________________
1 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/29/water-scarcity-why-some-of-the-worlds-biggest-companies-are-worried.html
2 https://www.ceres.org/sites/default/files/reports/Ceres_InvestWaterToolkit.pdf
3 https://www.kraftheinzcompany.com/esg/pdf/KraftHeinz-2022-ESG-Report.pdf
4 https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/risk/deloitte-au-risk-risk-angles-business-risk-realated-water-critial-resources-250215.pdf
5 https://nationalpost.com/news/food-companies-use-70-per-cent-of-worlds-water-are-unprepared-for-global-water-crisis-report
Companies such as Unilever, General Mills, Mars, Conagra Brands, and
Pepsi Co. have conducted water assessments in their supply chain as well as set time-bound reduction targets.6 The lagging
with our company could create bottom-line concerns; businesses that lack contingency plans and that fail to take proactive steps to address
supplier and local water challenges may find it difficult to avoid or respond quick to unexpected occurrences.
In many regions of the world, pressures are growing to give higher
priority to ecosystems and basic human needs for water. Changes in local water supply and quality levels, combined with increasing competition
for clean freshwater resources could make past allocations vulnerable to disruptions and revision.7 We believe it is time for
Kraft Heinz to build a new paradigm around the value and potential scarcity for water.
The Company could face similar concerns as peers such as ABF and Tyson
Foods, that could be facing a 22% EBITDA impact due water scarcity in their agribusinesses.8
As water becomes a pressing issue, consumers,
investors, and the public will demand better action on water throughout the industry supply chains or will be at risk for severe financial
and market share losses.
As more and more large-chain consumers place high expectations on their
supply chain to produce water quality and sustainable products, Kraft Heinz may be exposed to a severe market share reduction without
proper disclosure. Walmart and Target have both made strides to hold their supply base accountable to reduce water scarcity and increase
water quality.910 As competitors make significant strides in their water strategy, Kraft Heinz could be left behind and see
a reduction of market share as consumers down the chain start to hold companies accountable.
The United States has a very high proportion of companies in medium
or higher water risk industries.11 Investors may divest away from high water related risk especially without assurance that
the company is withstanding and mitigating all aspects of these risks that do not specifically only come from operations.
Operating within this limited visibility puts the reliability of the
Company and the trust investors have within the Company into question. As other companies become more prepared by implementing advantageous
water business strategies, investors alike will be hesitant to see the Company as an ideal investment.
_____________________________
6 https://feedingourselvesthirsty.ceres.org/key-findings#toc-water-risk-assessments
7 http://gemi.org/water/businesscase.htm
8 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/29/water-scarcity-why-some-of-the-worlds-biggest-companies-are-worried.html
9 https://cdn.corporate.walmart.com/03/66/3045e4c3480d8c794241497d663d/grr-13-perserving-natural-capital.pdf
10 https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-esg/environment/water
11 https://www.ceres.org/resources/toolkits/investor-water-toolkit/details
Disclosure on these issues would give everybody involved the opportunity
to assess the negative impacts of availability and quality. Without a full value chain water risk assessment, disclosure of quantitative
performance metrics and best practice strategies for water management targeted, investors and consumers cannot gauge whether Kraft Heinz
is adequately managing its water risk.
RESPONSE TO THE COMPANY’S STATEMENT OF OPPOSITION |
The company has stated they do not believe an agricultural water supply
chain assessment would benefit shareholders, however current efforts around water risks could damage bottom-line results, therefore impacting
investors and institutions negatively.
Within Kraft Heinz’s supplier guiding principles, our Company
has taken steps to ensure proper supplier guidance and progression, but the only mandatory requirement of already recognized high watershed
areas are implement plans with the objective of reducing water consumption. However, many practices that could mitigate future disruptions
such as respond to watershed risk, conduct impact assessments, disclose water management, act to preserve quality and water supply are
only expected practices, which may not need to be performed nor thoroughly investigated.
Without such thorough supply chain assessments, local water problems
could exist, interrupting business practices. Additionally, these practices only extend to known high water stressed areas under the UN
Water Program but do not include areas that may fail the threshold but nonetheless be facing localized problems related to water that
can damage production.
Stockholders would like to know what steps our company is taking to
combat these risks. Such steps like the 2021 due diligence and audit program that are trying to monitor water use do not inform investors
of an in-depth analysis pertaining the Company’s most vital resource and how it ensures continued and sustained growth. The Company
and investors alike cannot gain a clear picture if suppliers are accurately handling these risks, what impending concerns may arise, and
if they are proactively preserving water if no assessment is taken in the supply chain.
We urge shareholders to vote "YES"
for Proposal #6 requesting that our company issue a report at reasonable cost, omitting proprietary information, assessing water related
risk and exposure in supply chain operations.
Proponents commend company efforts towards water use and conservation
in direct operations by making a water risk assessment in 2020 of its 79 global sites and the commitment made to reduce water intensity
by 2025 in high-risk watershed areas.
However, we are concerned about the lack of management and disclosure
related to water risks within the Company’s extensive agricultural supply chain. The requested report would help to assure investors
that the Company is carefully assessing and working to address these risks. Accordingly, investors are encouraged to vote “FOR”
this important request for enhanced assessment and disclosure.
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