Unilever Nigeria, a multinational consumer goods company has released its 2022 sustainability report titled “Business and Purpose”, outlining the company’s environment, social and governance (ESG) performance under the year in review.
Unilever’s 2022 report showcases progress on energy efficient operations, solving the plastics dilemma through its business model, regulating vendor practices in Supply Chain through sustainable certifications, meeting diversity and equity targets, improving people’s health and hygiene through social cause initiatives – Pepsodent Brush Day+Night and Knorr Eat for Good campaign, empowering women through Shakti initiative, youth empowerment, etc.
The report was developed in line with other reputable framework, such as the Principles of the United Nations Global Compact, the Nigerian Stock Exchange Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines and the Securities and Exchange Commission‘s Sustainable Financial Principles for the Nigerian Capital Market.
In the year under review, the company set out targets to act on climate, waste, nutrition, health, living standards, inclusion and the future of work based on its Compass Strategy.
In keeping with its vision to become the global leader in sustainable business, the report captures the progress update based on the Compass Strategy in three clear priorities which include improve the health of the planet, improve people’s health, confidence, and wellbeing, and also contribute to a fairer more socially inclusive world.
Key sustainability highlights in the report
- Improved the health and hygiene of consumers through its brands and products, campaigns and partnership.
- Increased number of persons with disability within the workforce and improved facilities to accommodate them. 5% of its workforce to be made up of people with disabilities by 2025.
- Achieve 100% EPR reporting by product category/division, easing easy calculation of carbon footprint by product type.
- Ensured the social, environmental and economic sustainability of key agricultural raw ingredients and non-agricultural materials in its supply chain.
- Plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2039 by transitioning to renewable energy across all its operations.
- 50% virgin plastic reduction by 2025, including an absolute reduction of 100,000 tonnes.
- Reduced the environmental impact of packaging and waste and transitioning towards a circular economy.
- 25% recycled plastic by 2025
- 100% of Unilever’s ingredients will be biodegradable by 2030.
- Halve food waste in operations by 2025.
- Maintain zero waste to landfill in its factories.
- 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging by 2025.
- Deforestation-free supply chain in palm oil, paper and board, tea, soy, and cocoa by 2023.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, and mitigated the effects of long term changes in the climate on our business and value chain.
- Provided consumers with information about products, such as ingredients, what they do, why we use them, product safety and environmental impacts.
- Improved access to water, and managed water use and abstraction sustainably across its value chain.
- Sustainable practices campaigns.
- Retained commitment to good practice in operations, complying to government regulations and policies.
- Ensured all our products are accessible and affordable in every part of the nation including remote areas
- Equip 10 million young people with essential skills by 2030.
- Spend €2 billion annually with diverse businesses worldwide by 2025.
- Help 5 million small and medium-sized enterprises grow their business by 2025.
- Pioneer new models to provide our employees with flexible employment options by 2030.
- Reskill or upskill employees with future-fit skills by 2025.
Click here to have access to the full report https://lnkd.in/eBFNjzzX
