Unilever joins hands with UK as principal partner of COP26

27 / 07 / 2021

By Marwa Nassar - -

Unilever has joined hands with the UK government as a Principal Partner of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) – which will be held in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021 – to help accelerate climate action.

As Unilever embarks on the ‘decade of delivery’, the company will be looking to countries to set ambitious decarbonization targets, underpinned by a clear roadmap, with milestones for the short, medium and long term.

Governments must commit to establishing policy frameworks that give businesses confidence to invest in a net zero future – whether through carbon pricing, renewable energy targets, or regulation to phase out coal and other fossil fuels.

But it’s not up to governments alone to solve the climate crisis. Without decisive action on a global scale, climate change is the biggest long-term risk to Unilever’s business, and I know we are not unique in this. Taking decisive action to help address climate change is not only important for people and the planet, it’s also critical for business.

Unilever acts against climate change:

Unilever targets include having zero emissions from our operations by 2030, and net zero emissions from its products by 2039. Earlier this year, the company put its Climate Transition Action Plan, the roadmap to how it will achieve these targets, to an advisory shareholder vote. Of those who voted, 99% were in favor of the plan – demonstrating the level of support from shareholders and investors for Unilever’s climate agenda.

Consumers also expect Unilever’s brands to take direct action. Ben & Jerry’s advocates for climate justice, Seventh Generation for renewable energy, and Knorr is working with farmers to implement regenerative agricultural practices that also yield better crops for smallholders. This work provides the company’s brands with a platform to secure their business for tomorrow, while making them more relevant and appealing today.

Ahead of the historic Paris summit in 2015, the business community rallied in support of a high ambition outcome. With COP26 in Glasgow Unilever will do it again, but even louder and in greater numbers. The company will work with partners such as We Mean Business Coalition, World Business Council on Sustainable Development and the World Economic Forum, to encourage governments to set stretching goals, in full confidence that businesses stand ready to help deliver them.