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.
Less water
Water scarcity is a growing problem. We are finding ways to reduce our water use and helping consumers to reduce theirs.
Our reformulated Surf Excel washing detergent needs less water to rinse, helping consumers save water in water-scarce parts of India.
Some performance highlights
Nutrition
44%
Of products in line with internationally accepted guidelines for saturated and trans fat, sugar and salt.
Sustainable sourcing
15%
Of our global purchases of tea and palm oil from sustainable sources.
Greenhouse gases
44%
Reduction in CO2 from energy per tonne of production by our factories from 1995–2010 (preliminary data).
Water
66%
Reduction in water use per tonne of production by our factories from 1995–2010 (preliminary data).
Community
€89m
invested in community programmes worldwide in 2009.
Employee safety
15.7% reduction in our total recordable frequency rate in 2010 (preliminary data).
Our Sustainability reporting
17 March 2010: Our Sustainable Development Overview 2009 is published today and is available to download
Our people
People Profile: Sjef
"I work at Unilever’s Global and Regional Product Development Centre for Structured Emulsions in Vlaardingen as team leader for the pilot plant organisation"
Ghana - Palm Oil
Ghana: Promoting biodiversity on palm oil plantations
Unilever Ghana has developed biodiversity action plans (BAPs) to protect and enhance biodiversity at its Benso and Twifo palm oil plantations.
Our brands in society
By addressing social and sustainability issues, our brands can make a real difference and create growth opportunities for our business.
