Unilever, officially known as Unilever PLC, is a British-Dutch multinational company headquartered in London, GB. Founded in 1929, Unilever has established itself as a leader in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, operating across various regions including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The company is renowned for its diverse portfolio, which includes well-known brands in personal care, home care, and food and beverages. With iconic products such as Dove, Knorr, and Lipton, Unilever focuses on sustainability and innovation, setting itself apart through its commitment to responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship. As one of the largest FMCG companies globally, Unilever consistently ranks high in market share, reflecting its strong presence and influence in the industry. Notable achievements include its ambitious sustainability goals and a robust response to changing consumer preferences, solidifying its position as a trusted household name.
How does Unilever's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Food Product Manufacturing industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Unilever's score of 98 is higher than 99% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Unilever reported total greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 105,840,000,000 kg CO2e, with emissions distributed across various scopes: 480,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 210,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (market-based), and 53,800,000,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 100% by 2030, using a 2015 baseline. This commitment aligns with their goal to achieve carbon positivity in manufacturing. Additionally, Unilever aims to reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions by 42% by 2030 from a 2021 baseline, with a specific target of a 30.3% reduction in emissions related to forest, land, and agriculture (FLAG) by the same year. Unilever's emissions data is cascaded from its parent organization, Unilever PLC, and is validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as consistent with a 1.5°C pathway. The company has also committed to achieving net zero emissions across all scopes by 2039, excluding indirect consumer use emissions. This comprehensive approach reflects Unilever's dedication to sustainability and climate action, positioning it as a leader in the consumer goods sector.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2008 | 2010 | 2015 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 1,167,662,000 | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 1,618,220,000 | - | 0,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | 00,000,000,000 | - | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Unilever's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 3% last year and decreased by approximately 5% since 2010, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Use of Sold Products" being the largest emissions source at 98% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Unilever has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
