Unilever announced a pledge with the Obama Administration to act on climate change, in line with its ambition to grow its business while reducing its environmental footprint and increasing its positive social impact.
Unilever is proud to be in the first group of internationally headquartered companies with a significant US presence to join the pledge. Unilever United States has more than 8,000 employees across 13 states where we manufacture iconic brands including Dove, TRESemmé, Suave, Ben & Jerry’s, Lipton, Hellmann’s and Knorr.
Our pledge includes these commitments:
We will achieve zero net deforestation associated with four commodities – palm oil, soy, paper and board, and beef – no later than 2020. This commitment also extends to our tea businesses and supply chains.
Globally, by 2020, CO2 emissions from electricity from our factories will be at or below 2008 levels, despite significantly higher volumes. CO2 from electricity in manufacturing has been reduced by 37% per ton of production respectively since 2008. This is just the latest step in a long journey. In fact, compared to 1995, this represents a 64% reduction in absolute terms.
Globally, we have joined the RE100 campaign, committing to 100% renewable electricity in our sites around the world. In the US, we currently purchase renewable electricity credits against 100% of our electricity consumption through a long-term power purchase agreement with NRG. This includes the annual purchase of 90 megawatts of electricity from a Texas wind farm. We are committed to move further by transitioning to on-site and directed off-site sources for 100% of our US electricity needs by 2020.
We will continue to invest and deploy innovative technologies such as dry shampoo, which we estimate that compared to washing with heated water, reduces GHG emissions by around 90% per consumer use.
Unilever CEO Paul Polman said: "As a global company with a significant presence in the United States, we are proud to support the American Business Act on Climate. Never has it been more urgent for companies and governments to lead by example with policies and practices that set us on a path to sustainable growth and reduce the risks associated with climate change. That's why Unilever is proud to sign the American Business Act on Climate."
