Unilever announced this week that it is committing to achieve Net Zero on all its products by 2039 – eleven years ahead of the Paris Agreement deadline. The announcement includes the creation of a €1 billion “climate and nature fund” the focus of which will include reforestation, restoration of soils and sustainable farming. Unilever is already involved in this area through such things as Ben & Jerry’s initiative to reduce GHG emissions from dairy farms.

Unilever is also introducing a Regenerative Agricultural Code for all its suppliers.

At a time when much of UK agriculture is contemplating the changes that exiting the CAP will bring, Unilever’s announcement is another reminder that farming and land use will have a key role to play in achieving Net Zero.

Written with Tom Hewitt, head of our estates and land team and our food and farming team.