Better Health for All

KKR-backed healthcare operations have engaged in lobbying and political spending linked to surprise medical billing, severely undermining price accessibility for patients.

Debt-loaded buyouts at KKR companies have also driven major bankruptcies, including Envision Healthcare, indicating significant negative health impacts. Furthermore, frontline workers at KKR-backed healthcare operations experienced pay cuts, reflecting minimal support for the healthcare workforce. In contrast, KKR acquired Therapy Brands, a software platform that enhances mental health service efficiency for over 28,000 practices. A KKR-backed company, Hologic, secured a $119 million contract from the US government to increase the production capacity of its Covid-19 molecular tests during a public health emergency. KKR also launched broad-based ownership programs in 22 new companies in 2024, including Medical Saigon Group, a healthcare company.

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

KKR's Small Business Builders Program provided $10,000 grants to small businesses

, with 67% of recipients from historically underrepresented groups . This program led to positive economic outcomes, as 54% of recipients reported increased wages for employees , and 57% experienced revenue growth . Additionally, in 2023, KKR joined the Economic Opportunity Coalition's initiative to place deposits in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to enhance lending opportunities in underserved communities across the US . As an investment firm, KKR does not offer consumer credit products or operate financial service access points, therefore, KPIs related to consumer lending pricing, fees, debt burden, geographic access points, product simplicity, or open banking APIs are not applicable.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

KKR's portfolio companies have faced significant labor-law and human-rights issues. Investigations by China Labor Watch revealed labor abuses in Chinese factories supplying KKR-owned companies, including excessive hours, low wages, unsafe conditions, and inadequate living facilities.

OSHA fined a KKR-owned Refresco plant $50,000 for violations. Furthermore, KKR's portfolio paid $1.6 million in OSHA fines and $4.3 million for wage violations, indicating numerous substantiated incidents. For KKR's own employees, the voluntary turnover rate was approximately 7% in 2023. KKR has implemented broad employee ownership programs across 61 portfolio companies, benefiting over 145,000 non-senior management employees with billions of dollars in equity awarded since 2011. For example, upon the sale of C.H.I. Overhead Doors, employees received an average payout of $175,000, with some long-serving workers earning up to $800,000. Similarly, GeoStabilization International employees received cash payouts ranging from three months to three years of annual pay, with some long-tenured hourly employees receiving at least $325,000. KKR co-founded Ownership Works in 2022, aiming to generate $20 billion in worker wealth by 2030.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Flora Food Group, a KKR portfolio company, has achieved 100% certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for all palm oil products used in its manufacturing sites since 2019

, indicating zero spend on uncertified palm oil. Additionally, KKR UK, a subsidiary, reported no awareness of any incidents of modern slavery or human trafficking involving its suppliers as of the end of 2024. KKR UK conducts ongoing assessments of relevant third-party vendors and may seek additional contractual representations from suppliers in high-risk sectors regarding their compliance with the Modern Slavery Act.

Honest & Fair Business

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that KKR systematically violated the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act in at least 16 transactions between 2021 and 2022

, including altering or omitting required documents and failing to file for at least two transactions, one valued at $6.9 billion . Potential civil penalties for these alleged violations exceed $650 million . Separately, the SEC fined KKR for recordkeeping failures due to employees using unauthorized messaging platforms for business communications . KKR maintains an Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy that ensures compliance with laws like the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act . The firm also has a Whistleblower Policy and provides mandatory annual ethics training .

Kind to Animals

KKR's portfolio company GreenCollar managed 2 million hectares of land under environmental projects

and prevented 38,000 kg of nitrogen from entering the Great Barrier Reef Catchment area in 2022. Another portfolio company, RES, restored and protected 5,492 acres of land. However, KKR has faced criticism in 2023 for significant investments in fossil fuels, accounting for 78% of its energy portfolio, with projects linked to environmental violations, habitat destruction, and ecosystem upheaval.

No War, No Weapons

KKR, a global investment firm, has made and continues to hold investments in companies associated with the defense sector. These include the 2016 acquisition of Airbus's defense electronics business for approximately €1.1 billion,

the 2019 acquisition of Novaria Group (aerospace and defense components), and a 2022 second-lien term loan to Amentum Services Inc. (aerospace and defense). In 2023, France reviewed KKR's proposed acquisition of Circor International Inc., an aeronautics and defense supplier. While KKR sold a €210 million stake in radar manufacturer Hensoldt AG in 2022, the company has not demonstrated zero exposure to controversial weapons, and public records show ongoing links to the defense sector. KKR also invests in critical and emerging technologies with dual-use or military implications and has established geopolitical protocols and screening processes, including a Geopolitical Governance Subcommittee and a Gating Issues List for risk mitigation. However, specific quantitative data on the percentage of revenue from arms contracts, the scope of R&D investment in dual-use technologies, or the proportion of revenue allocated to peacebuilding initiatives is not provided.

Planet-Friendly Business

KKR's fossil fuel investments emitted over 93 million metric tons of CO2e in 2023.

KKR does not disclose total financed emissions as defined by SASB. , and a report highlighted issues with its emissions reporting. KKR does not have SBTi-validated, science-based carbon reduction targets for its own operations; such targets are only noted for some portfolio companies and funds, and KKR's strategy framework is merely mapped to SBTi aspects. KKR publicly supports TCFD recommendations and states its reports are prepared in accordance with TCFD, with its 2024 report presented as a TCFD and SASB Annex. However, KKR kicked off efforts to conduct a limited climate risk assessment in 2024 and is still evaluating how climate scenario analyses may integrate into its processes and best practices.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

KKR's investment in the Coastal GasLink pipeline proceeded despite the Wet’suwet’en Nation's opposition and assertion of rights over their unceded territories

, which included allegations of rights violations and environmental degradation . This led to militarized police actions against land defenders , indicating that the affected Wet’suwet’en Nation did not participate in Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes in a way that respected their consent. The firm's continued investment in the project despite these issues reflects a dismissal of the community's concerns regarding this cultural incident.

Safe & Smart Tech

KKR has no documented incidents of unauthorized data use. The firm demonstrates a strong positive stance on digital rights and actively engages in promoting ethical technology practices. This is evidenced by its $55 million investment in eSSENTIAL Accessibility in 2021, aimed at scaling digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, KKR hosted webinars in 2023 with the President and CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology, discussing responsible data management, privacy, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

KKR's Green Portfolio Program avoided 1.2 million tons of waste by 2010.

The company's Green Solutions Platform, re-launched in 2016, aims to drive environmental value through sustainable practices, leading to significant waste reductions across 27 participating companies. KKR's Viridor division focuses on circular economy initiatives, converting used plastic into raw materials. Additionally, KKR-supported RE Sustainability Limited launched an Innovation Fund for waste management, recycling, and circular economy ideas. KKR also recognizes portfolio companies for waste management projects through its Eco-Innovation Awards.