THE WHAT?   Greenpeace UK has significantly escalated its campaign against Unilever, targeting the conglomerate’s plastic usage policies at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Hilton London Bankside. The environmental group’s dramatic demonstration coincided with the release of new polling data indicating broad support for Unilever to address its plastic pollution.

THE DETAILS  As Unilever’s AGM commenced, Greenpeace activists disrupted the event using a confetti cannon that showered the venue with black paper Doves, symbolizing the 140,000 signatories of an open letter urging Unilever’s Dove brand to eliminate single-use plastic. This stark imagery was a twist on Dove’s traditionally positive logo, featuring the bird in black and appearing deceased. Activists also unveiled a banner reading “Dove Ditch Plastic” and vocalized their demand for Unilever to abandon plastic packaging, leading to their removal by security.

THE WHY? The AGM faced additional pressure from various groups concerning Unilever’s environmental claims and impact. Friends of the Earth Indonesia and the Sulawesi community raised issues about the destructive consequences of Unilever’s palm oil usage. Meanwhile, 100 Dutch youth activists pushed for substantial greenhouse gas reductions in line with the Paris climate agreement.