The Environmental Report presents progress on three key sustainability initiatives in agriculture, fish and water; includes an overview of environmental performance in factories; and explains how Unilever is increasingly working with suppliers and connecting with consumers on environmental challenges.
The Social Report outlines how Unilever is managing its social impacts around the world, covering topics such as local economic impacts, consumer safety, affordability, advertising, diversity and employee health and safety. Also included is a forward look at challenges in nutrition, hygiene and health.
The reports cover:
strengthening the vitality benefits of brands by conducting a nutrition enhancement programme across the entire food and beverage portfolio – around 10,000 products were screened in 2004;
working with direct suppliers towards positive assurance of adherence to the company’s new Business Partner Code by the end of 2005;
reducing greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of production by 25% and unit waste loads by 60% over the last 10 years;
although falling short of its ambition set in 1996 to source 100% of its fish sustainably, Unilever has still made substantial progress and is now buying over half the fish used in Europe from sustainable sources;
working in partnership to achieve mutual goals, such as a new agreement with UNICEF to achieve a measurable reduction in childhood mortality, one of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
Both reports include independent verification and were informed by stakeholder insights gained in part through a structured consultation process. These have pointed to areas where the company can continue to increase the clarity and directness of its reporting. Unilever intends to move towards a single combined report by 2007. The company continues its strategy of communicating its performance online, with the short printed reports acting as signposts to more detailed information at www.unilever.com/ourvalues/environme ntandsociety
Unilever
Unilever, one of the world’s leading consumer products companies, adds vitality to life by meeting the everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. With a portfolio of great brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life, 150 million consumers around the world choose Unilever products every day, including icon brands such as Knorr, Hellmann’s, Lipton, Dove, Sunsilk and Omo.