FMCG giant Unilever has set a series of new climate goals, calling upon the wider industry to follow suit as it sets out how the business intends to reach net zero across its wider value chain by 2039.
Split over 12 identified areas of action, Unilever’s new Climate Transition Action Plan – which was released earlier this week – says it is “vital” that it continues to reduce emissions over the next few years as it “puts the building blocks in place to ensure long-term delivery”.
To achieve this, the plan spans areas including reformulating products, regenerative agriculture, packaging, operating aerosol propellants and ice cream cabinets.
The series of goals also come with a GHG emission reduction target of 100% for Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, 42.2% for Scope 3 energy and industrial and 30.3% for Scope 3 forest land and agricultural GHG emissions.
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Unilever chief sustainability officer Rebecca Marmot said: “Climate action is a priority for Unilever, to support business growth and the communities we serve. We’re focusing our efforts where we can have most impact and driving innovation – but we cannot do it alone.
“We’re partnering with others to scale solutions and using our voice to spur collective action from governments, regulators and industry, up and down our value chain. We want to focus our business and the world to get on track for net zero.”
Alongside the Climate Transition Action Plan, the FMCG brand has also released its first Climate Policy Engagement Review, urging industry associations to get more “actively engaged in climate advocacy”.
The new reports follow past criticism of Unilever, which has previously had its ‘green claims’ investigated by the CMA to scrutinise its ‘green claims’, while a separate report earlier this year named the company as one of the world’s top three corporate plastic polluters.
