Unilever to stop using coal for energy within five years

Consumer goods giant pledges to go 'carbon positive' by 2030, generating 100% of its energy needs from renewables with more to spare

Unilever, the consumer goods giant, has pledged to eliminate coal from its energy usage within five years, and derive all of its energy worldwide solely from renewable sources by 2030.

The company will become "carbon positive" by 2030, through its own use of renewables, and by investing in generating more renewable energy than it needs, selling the surplus on the markets and making it available to local communities in areas where it operates. About 40% of the company's energy use currently comes from green sources.