Personal Care Companies Commit to Paris Agreement

Govenors, mayors, universities and businesses, including stakeholders in beauty, household and personal care, from across the US or with significant operations in the US, have declared their intent to continue to ensure the US remains a global leader in reducing carbon emissions, and as such, have joined the “We Are Still In” movement.


Those who have signed on contend they are sending a strong signal to the international community and the 194 other parties to the Paris Agreement about the continued commitment of the US to ambitious action on climate change absent leadership at the federal level. In the aggregate, the signatories are delivering concrete emissions reductions that will help meet America’s emissions pledge under the Paris Agreement.


In total, the businesses and investors account for a total annual revenue of $1.4 trillion and include more than 20 Fortune 500 companies and hundreds of small businesses. To date, companies in the household and personal products space include Estée Lauder Companies, Unilever, L’Oréal, Dr. Bronner’s and others.


In a statement, Estee Lauder Companies penned, “The Estée Lauder Companies is proud to be a part of the fight against climate change. We consider it our responsibility as a global company, employer and corporate citizen. We believe that working together toward a low-carbon future will help ensure a healthier and safer world for all, which is why we are standing with cities, states and businesses across the US to lead the fight against climate change. In 2016, we made an important pledge to work towards a net zero carbon goal by the year 2020. We are working towards our goal by continuing to apply our strategy of improving efficiency in our operations, investing in clean and renewable energy and purchasing carbon offsets. This initiative is part of many efforts on behalf of The Estée Lauder Companies to do our part to help mitigate the effects of climate change. As a family company founded over 70 years ago, we have long been committed to reducing our own environmental footprint and doing our part to help ensure the health and beauty of our planet for all future generations.”


Household and personal care companies and related businesses that had signed on as of June 9, include:     

• Aroma Naturals
• Aveda
• Badger
• BASF
• DLG Naturals
• Dr. Brite
• Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps
• Earth Friendly Products
• GoodLight Natural Candles
• Hand in Hand Soap
• Keap Candles
• L’Oréal
• Royal DSM
• Sealed Air Corporation
• Seventh Generation
• Teadora Beauty
• The Eco Laundry Company
• The Estée Lauder Companies
• Unilever
• Yuni Beauty


Aveda offered this statement on the “We Are Still” in website: “Aveda joins many other businesses, local government and academic leaders in continuing to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement. Aveda remains committed to our longstanding efforts to fight climate change. We will continue to purchase renewable energy and carbon offsets for our manufacturing and other North American operations while striving to be more energy efficient, work with suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of our supply chain, work with NGO partners and other business to advocate for urgently needed policies, and educate the professionals in our retail, salon and spa network and their guests on actions they can take to make a difference.” 


Likewise, Royal DSM’s CEO Feike Sijbesma issued the following:
“It is very regrettable that the US has decided to withdraw from the Paris Climate Treaty. In our opinion, we should not waste the opportunity to future-proof our economies and companies. We can’t pass on the bill to next generations. Therefore, DSM remains committed to climate action.”