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As the world gears up for the Summer Olympics in Paris—threatening to be one of the hottest on record—it's crucial to scrutinize the role of major sponsors like commodities giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) in addressing climate change. P&G, known for its global reach and influence, has a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead by example in sustainability initiatives during these Games.
The urgency of climate change has never been clearer. The recent heatwaves and extreme weather events around the globe are stark reminders of the environmental crisis we face. The Summer Olympics serve as a poignant backdrop to discuss corporate responsibility in the face of climate challenges. A recent report showed that summer temperatures in Paris have risen on average by 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit since the last time it hosted the Olympics, in 1924. The last summer Olympics in Tokyo were the hottest on record, where over 100 athletes suffered heat-related illness. This year's Games, and every year after, could only get worse.
P&G is one of the largest consumer goods companies in the world and a top-tier partner of the Olympic Games. And as one of the biggest advertisers in the world—spending a reported $8 billion annually on marketing—its Olympics sponsorship presents a significant platform for the company that should be used not just for brand visibility, but for meaningful action. As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchases, companies are under growing pressure to demonstrate their real commitment to changing business-as-usual practices that don't measure up.
P&G prides itself on its sustainability efforts, and yet the Cincinnati-based company has long been the target of public pressure—including from the direct descendants of the founders William Procter and James Gamble—for knowingly sourcing materials that are connected to tropical deforestation, forest degradation, and human rights abuses. P&G has failed to uphold its own corporate commitments and has ignored calls from Indigenous land defenders, human rights and climate activists, and shareholders to clean up its supply chain. Deforestation is responsible for a vast amount of global carbon emissions each year and simultaneously destroys one of the best defenses we naturally have against climate change—the forests themselves.
The scale and urgency of the climate crisis demand accelerated action and innovation. Specifically, P&G can leverage its Olympic sponsorship and end its tacit support for forest destruction and human rights atrocities. There is a growing crisis facing forest defenders and human rights defenders, which P&G is connected to through its suppliers. The company must adopt a dedicated zero tolerance policy to halt intimidation and criminalization of forest defenders now. P&G's peers such as Unilever, Mars, and PepsiCo have adopted zero tolerance policies, it is time for P&G to follow suit.
By taking bold steps toward true sustainability during the Summer Olympics, P&G would not only align itself with consumer expectations but also set a standard for corporate leadership in addressing human rights abuses and climate change. The Games offer a global stage to showcase innovation, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.
As consumers and stakeholders, we have the power to demand more from companies like P&G. By holding sponsors accountable for their impact on communities and the environment, we can collectively contribute to a healthier planet for all.
The Summer Olympics are not just a celebration of athletic prowess; they are a call to action on climate change. P&G has an opportunity to be at the forefront of this movement, demonstrating that business can and must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship. Let's urge P&G to rise to the occasion and lead the charge toward a more sustainable future, both on and off the Olympic stage.
Ginger Cassady is executive director of Rainforest Action Network.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
