Our biggest
challenges

Poverty, malnutrition, climate change and water scarcity: these are some of the big challenges facing the world and our business today. Find out more about how we are addressing these and other sustainability issues.

Tackling climate change

Climate change is one of the most critical issues facing our planet. We have set ourselves demanding targets to reduce our impact.

Drought struck earth showing cracks and breaks

Ben & Jerry’s Baked Alaska and Fossil Fuel ice cream flavours are raising awareness about climate change with consumers.

Some performance highlights

  • Nutrition

    22 000

    Food and drink products were assessed via our Nutrition Enhancement Programme.

  • Hygiene & well-being

    120m people

    Reached through Lifebuoy's hygiene education programme in India since 2002.

  • Greenhouse gases

    39%

    Reduction in CO2 from energy by our factories since 1995.

  • Water

    63%

    Reduction in water use by our factories since 1995.

  • Community

    €91m

    Invested in local communities around the world.

  • Employee safety

     

    Accident rate reduced from 0.26 in 2007 to 0.21 per 100,000 hours worked in 2008.

Our Sustainability reporting

Our Sustainability reporting

26 March 2009: Download our 2008 Sustainable Development Overview on the link shown opposite.  For more information on sustainability see below:

Our people

Harold Bokaba

Harold Bokaba AIDS Champion, Unilever South Africa

It takes a particular type of personality to dole out condoms to burly truck drivers, but that's just one of the approaches Harold Bokaba has taken in an effort to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS among his fellow South Africans.

News

Cleaner Planet Plan

The Cleaner Planet Plan

The Cleaner Planet Plan will help consumers to reduce the environmental impact of doing their laundry

Our brands in society

By addressing social and sustainability issues, our brands can make a real difference and create growth opportunities for our business.