Recent energy shocks and catastrophic natural disasters in early 2026 have intensified the urgency of climate action. For the Philippines, one of Southeast Asia’s most climate-exposed economies, the priority is to turn low-carbon ambition into faster, measurable, and collective action.
For Unilever, climate action is embedded in how the business operates – from managing risk, increasing operational efficiencies and building a more resilient supply chain.
Scaling Decarbonization: From Operations to the Supply Chain
At the operational level, Unilever has set a science-based target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 100% by 2030 from a 2015 baseline. By the end of 2025, Unilever Philippines had reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 77% against that baseline.
This progress has been supported by the company’s early investments in renewable energy, which has produced cost efficiencies and helped protect against energy market volatility. In 2019, Unilever Philippines transitioned to 100% renewable grid electricity using geothermal energy and has since expanded to installing solar rooftop panels across its facilities. Through this, it has electrified some of its thermal processes using technologies such as heat pumps and boilers in its factories. The company has also committed to transitioning its owned fleet to 100% hybrid electric vehicles by 2030.
Recognizing that the bulk of its climate footprint lies across the value chain, Unilever Philippines is also working with suppliers to accelerate Scope 3 emissions reduction. Through the global Supplier Climate Programme, the company engages priority suppliers by providing tools and resources to help them measure, report and eventually reduce their GHG emissions.
Reinforcing this in September 2025, Unilever Philippines renewed and expanded its partnership with First Gen to bring renewable energy supply to its priority sites and suppliers across Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas, extending the benefit of cost efficiencies while starting its supply chain decarbonization journey.
A Shared Principle on Collective Action
These initiatives reflect a broader principle: a low-carbon transition and net-zero future require partnerships that enable action across diverse sectors.
This is why Unilever Philippines is among the inaugural members of the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA), which brings together cross-sector organizations to advance decarbonization in the Philippines.
At the recent NZCA Philippine Net Zero Conference 2026, business leaders, policymakers, financiers, and sustainability practitioners convened to map out the country’s low-carbon economic transformation. Discussions focused on strengthening corporate leadership and governance, financing the transition, building capabilities, advancing policy, and translating net-zero commitments into measurable outcomes.
Unilever Philippines Sustainability Manager Regina Unson-Silerio emphasized that sustainability must be embedded across the entire business rather than treating it as an organizational silo.
“Sustainability has to be embedded across the business, with clear ownership and accountability from the functions that can turn strategy into action. Whether it is about renewable energy, lower-carbon materials and ingredients, logistics improvements, supplier decisions, capital investments, or product specifications, these decisions shape how we operate, innovate, and grow the business.”
Unilever Philippines was honored with a Bronze Award at the Net Zero Champions Awards held during the NZCA Philippine Net Zero Conference 2026, recognizing its progress in decarbonization, commitment to transparent climate reporting, and alignment with the Alliance’s pathway toward net zero.
Continuing the Journey Toward Net Zero
For Unilever Philippines, the path to net zero is both an operational imperative and a collective endeavor. Alongside its 2039 targets and value-chain initiatives, the company collaborates with peers, government bodies, and trade associations to build an enabling environment for corporate climate action.
In 2027, Unilever Philippines will celebrate 100 years of creating a positive impact in communities across the country, made possible through well-loved household brands such as Dove, Knorr, Surf, Rexona, and many more that help make everyday life better. As it marks this milestone, the company remains committed to influencing positive change for society and the environment through innovation, sustainability, and purpose-led growth.
Frequently asked questions
What is Unilever Philippines' net zero target?
Unilever has set a science-based target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline. By the end of 2025, Unilever Philippines had reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 77% against that baseline, and it continues to work toward the company's wider 2039 net zero targets across the value chain.
How has Unilever Philippines reduced its emissions?
Unilever Philippines transitioned to 100% renewable grid electricity using geothermal energy in 2019 and has since installed solar rooftop panels across its facilities. It has electrified some thermal processes in its factories using technologies such as heat pumps and boilers, and has committed to transitioning its owned fleet to 100% hybrid electric vehicles by 2030. These early investments in renewable energy have also produced cost efficiencies and helped protect the business against energy market volatility.
How is Unilever Philippines tackling emissions in its supply chain?
Because the bulk of its climate footprint sits across the value chain, Unilever Philippines works with suppliers to accelerate Scope 3 emissions reduction. Through the global Supplier Climate Programme, it gives priority suppliers the tools and resources to measure, report, and ultimately reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. In September 2025, the company renewed and expanded its partnership with First Gen to bring renewable energy supply to priority sites and suppliers across Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas.
What is the Net Zero Carbon Alliance, and what is Unilever's role in it?
The Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) brings together cross-sector organizations to advance decarbonization in the Philippines. Unilever Philippines is one of its inaugural members. At the NZCA Philippine Net Zero Conference 2026, the company received a Bronze Award at the Net Zero Champions Awarding for its leadership in decarbonization, consistent data transparency and reporting, and alignment of its climate goals with the Alliance's net zero framework.
Why does collective action matter for reaching net zero in the Philippines?
The Philippines is one of Southeast Asia's most climate-exposed economies, and recent energy shocks and natural disasters have intensified the urgency of climate action. No single organization can decarbonize an economy alone, so Unilever Philippines collaborates with peers, government bodies, financiers, and trade associations to build an enabling environment for corporate climate action and to turn net zero commitments into measurable outcomes.