Unilever Strikes Sustainability Deals with Top Retail Customers, Including Walmart: CEO Reveals
Unilever, the maker of Dove soap and Ben & Jerry's ice cream, has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing waste in its supply chain through sustainability agreements with its top 10 retail customers, including Walmart. CEO Hein Schumacher announced these collaborations at the Reuters IMPACT conference in London, highlighting the company's focus on environmental responsibility.
In response to investor concerns about the profitability of Unilever's climate strategy, Schumacher revamped the company's sustainability goals in April. The new agreements with retail partners like Walmart and A.S. Watson's aim to reduce Scope 3 emissions, which are indirect emissions associated with a company's supply chain.
Walmart, in particular, has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its global value chain, with suppliers already reporting significant reductions. Unilever is also leveraging climate-modelling to improve the resilience of its supply chain in the face of environmental challenges like drought.
Overall, these sustainability initiatives not only demonstrate Unilever's commitment to environmental stewardship but also set a precedent for other companies to follow suit. By prioritizing sustainability, businesses can not only protect the planet but also enhance their long-term viability and appeal to socially conscious consumers.
