Cosmetics companies sign up to Obama’s climate change pledge

Published: 21-Oct-2015

P&G, Johnson & Johnson and L’Oréal sign

81 companies have signed up to the American Business Act on Climate pledge, ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Companies listed include Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal USA and P&G.

Companies signing up have promised to advocate for a strong climate deal ahead of the international conference, which will be held from 30 November to 11 December. Some of the commitments made were previously pledged but the White House says that the bulk of the promises made are either new or expanded.

Johnson & Johnson pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. It also said it would produce 20% of its electricity from clean/renewable energy sources by 2020 and aims to power all of its facilities by renewable energy by 2050.

L’Oréal has promised to reduce its CO2 emissions by 60%, reduce water consumption and waste by 60% and send zero waste to landfill by 2020. The company also pledged to source 100% of its renewable raw materials from sustainable sources, including deforestation free palm oil.

P&G plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020. It is partnering with EDF RE to develop a new wind farm in Texas and will source 30% of the energy used in its plant by 2020.

Retailer Target plans to reduce the energy intensity-per-square-foot in its stores by 10% before 2020. It aims to increase the number of solar rooftop panels on its buildings by more than 2,000% by 2020.

Unilever has committed to achieving zero net deforestation associated with soy, palm oil, paper and board and aims to achieve 100% renewable energy in their international sites. It also says its efforts to develop dry shampoo and other innovations that reduce the need for heated water.

Walmart is doubling its number of on-site solar energy projects across the US and is aiming to reduce its emissions by 11 million tonnes.

The White House says that the companies signed up to its list are voicing their support for a strong outcome to the Paris climate negotiations and have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to climate change action.

You may also like