What Company is This?
Kone was founded in Finland in 1910 and is a global company operating in the elevator and escalator industry. The company employs more than 60,000 people across almost 70 countries. Kone’s strategy for the period of 2025-2030 states that: “KONE’s ambition is to lead the industry. This means leadership in three areas: number 1 choice for our employees and customers, lead in innovation and sustainability, and lead in growth and profitability.” KONE announced on 29 April 2026 that it will combine with TKE, which would make it the world’s largest elevator company.
What Are the Results?
Kone gains 10 percentage points, raising its score from 9% to 19%. The company improves its General Supply Chain Sustainability score by 10 percentage points to 28% and its Steel Supply Chain category score from 0 to 11%. For a company with climate action as one of four strategic focus areas for the period of 2025-2030, this progress was anticipated, and stronger performance and disclosure are expected in the coming years
What Are the Highlights?
Kone earns partial points in the General Supply Chain Sustainability section for its SBTi-validated climate targets due to the absence of a long-term net-zero target. The company plans to publish its climate transition plan in 2026, which will outline its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and set a pathway toward achieving its long-term 2050 climate goals. Partial points are also awarded for having a process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts in the supply chain, and for specifying that sustainability is a factor in supplier selection.
In the Steel Supply Chain Sustainability category, Kone earns points for setting a target to purchase 40% recycled materials by 2040 and for reporting on its progress towards this target, which translates to 31% recycled materials in 2025. Kone also scores points for integrating improved recyclability into product design and manufacturing.
Where Can the Company Improve?
In the General Supply Chain Sustainability category, Kone scores zero points for lacking a commitment or policy to halt deforestation and the conversion of natural ecosystems, and for having no specific requirements for suppliers regarding either deforestation prevention or water management. In the Steel Supply Chain Sustainability category, Kone scores zero points for disclosing its steel-related emissions, as the company only states that steel accounts for the majority of Scope 3 emissions associated with purchased goods and services. It further scores zero points for not disclosing targets for purchasing lower-emission or fossil-free steel; reporting the share of such steel in its annual production cycle; being a member of any steel buyer coalition or of ResponsibleSteel; or having formal arrangements with steelmakers to invest in or scale up the production of fossil-free steel.
