Unilever Philippines has transitioned its operations to 100- percent geothermal power to reduce operational emissions as part of its Climate Transition Action Plan (CTAP) and broader net-zero ambition.
The company, an inaugural member of the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA), is accelerating its commitment to manage climate risk and strengthen resilience through this action and engagement with its value chain partners.
The shift to renewable energy, completed in 2020, fulfills a key action area in the company’s science-based roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations and value chain, said Unilever Sustainability Lead for the Philippines and Greater Asia Rondell Torres.
“That was the benefit of early action,” said Torres.
“In 2020, we fully fulfilled a key action in our Climate Transition Action Plan by completing the shift to renewable grid electricity for our operations. But then the next question was: What about our value chain?” he said.
Unilever Philippines has teamed up with First Gen Corp., a leader in renewable energy solutions, since 2017. The agreement allows First Gen’s subsidiary, Energy Development Corp. (EDC), to supply 10 megawatts of geothermal power to seven production and distribution sites owned and operated by Unilever Philippines across Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas.
Unilever Philippines is now supporting its value chain partners to make a similar transition, helping them partner with First Gen for access to one hundred percent renewable grid electricity using geothermal power.
“We’re building on this momentum. The appetite for investments in renewable energy is growing, which is heartening. That’s what the private sector is looking for: strong supply at a cost-effective price,” Torres said.
Since launching CTAP in 2021, Unilever has achieved significant reductions in operational emissions and has laid strong foundations to decarbonize its value chain. The plan identifies 10 key action areas, including a Supplier Climate Program, logistics and operations and regenerative agriculture.
Complementing the infrastructure-level effort, Unilever is advancing its GHG reduction across its value chain by engaging with over 300 suppliers to understand and track their emissions under its Climate Supplier Program.
Torres said companies embarking on their climate journey should educate by researching standards like IPCC and GHG Protocols, evaluate by understanding the business from within and engage by finding credible partners to support the transformation.
Unilever Philippines said it is working toward its broader ambition to reach net zero emissions across its value chain by 2039. The company is a pioneer member of the NZCA, standing alongside 40 Philippine-based organizations.
