Unilever Reports Latest Progress in Corporate Responsibility

Published 05-18-05

Submitted by Unilever - UK

Unilever's latest Social and Environmental Reports 2004 "Listening, Learning, Making Progress" highlight the company's progress in living out its commitments as a responsible corporate citizen and explain the importance of its new vitality mission in growing its business.

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/environmentandsociety

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.

Unilever has 227,000 employees in around 100 countries and generated annual sales of Â€42 billion in 2004. For more information, please visit www.unilever.com.

Unilever - UK

Unilever (NYSE: UL, UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life. In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 15,000 people in 66 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico- generating more than $9 billion in sales in 2005.

Unilever Reports Latest Progress in Corporate Responsibility

Unilever Reports Latest Progress in Corporate Responsibility

Unilever - UK

Unilever - UK

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