Unilever has released its Climate Policy Engagement Review, calling on industry associations to be actively engaged in climate advocacy.

The Review sets out climate policy priorities and highlights the direct actions Unilever has taken to ensure alignment with them.

A main focus is on the company’s membership of associations. In its review of 27 industry associations, the company found that eight had no public record of meaningful climate policy engagement with governments, four have low engagement and eight are misaligned with Unilever in one or more of our priority policy areas.

Demanding better reporting of existing climate policy engagement and, in some cases, for changes to current association positions to make them scientifically aligned with Paris Agreement targets, the company has announced that it has lowered its own emissions by over two-thirds since 2015.

Rebecca Marmot, chief sustainability officer, said: “We want our associations to be catalysts for positive policy change, and if they can’t, then we reserve the right to withdraw our membership fees.”

Becoming something of an advocate too, Unilever has called for government action and strong climate policies to help create the right environment for businesses to act at speed and scale.

---