Unilever Sets New Climate Goals Despite Growing ESG Backlash

Unilever Plc is announcing more ambitious emissions-cutting goals, targeting suppliers and even the shops that stock its brands, despite concerns from investors that non-financial objectives have become a distraction for the company.

In its latest climate plan released on Wednesday, the maker of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Lynx deodorant said it’s aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions associated with the retailing and consumption of its goods by the end of the decade.

For example, Unilever wants emissions from indirect sources, including ice cream refrigerators in shops and the recycling of the products it sells, to decline 42% from 2021 ...