KKR – Leah Yablonka – 2018

Goals

KKR, a leading global investment firm, enlisted EDF climate Corps fellow Leah Yablonka to research and assist in creating a strategy that would help the firm and its portfolio companies address the risks and opportunities presented by climate change.

Solutions

Yablonka completed an analysis of climate action in the private equity industry, which included extensive research on industry trends and voluntary disclosure frameworks, including the CDP and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. In addition, Yablonka assisted in:

• Researching the best practices in ESG integration across asset classes

• Supporting ESG due diligence of potential new investments

• Creating materials for cross-portfolio energy management programs

• Creating eco-efficiency case studies

As a result of this research, Yablonka was able to help chart a path for KKR to maintain its best-in-class ESG management practices. This path is supported by a series of resources designed to help KKR implement climate action in its own operations while also supporting its investments to adopt similar sustainability approaches.

Potential Impact

As a result of Yablonka’s work, KKR now has guidance to aid it in reducing its own organizational carbon footprint, which will enable KKR to inspire action among its peers and potentially across its $190+ billion portfolio of investments.