Royal DSM and Unilever have joined Natura &Co and 25 other major companies with a total market capitalisation of US$1.3 trillion, in pledging to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and reaching net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, according to a report published by Data Economy.

Together the 28 companies represent more than one million employees from 17 sectors and 16 countries. Of the 28, Unilever is among those that have already have 1.5C-aligned reduction targets covering greenhouse gas emissions.

“Climate leadership has never been more important than it is right now, and it is inspiring to see so many diverse companies and brands boldly raising their ambitions,” said Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “Leading companies are already proving that 1.5°C-compliant climate targets are possible, and I encourage all businesses to seize this opportunity to position themselves at the forefront of this movement and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”