Sustainable Brands Responsible for Nearly Half of Unilever’s Growth

20 May 2016 --- Unilever's sustainable brands including Knorr and Lipton are responsible for nearly half the consumer giant's growth while 54 percent of consumers now want to buy more sustainably.

These are two of the key findings of Unilever's update to its Sustainable Living Plan, its ambition to be a more environmentally friendly company which has a positive social impact on the world, which is now in its fifth year.

Its sustainable brands are defined as those which have fully integrated "sustainability into both their purpose and products" and includes brands such as Knorr, Dove, Lipton and Hellmann’s."

Key findings in the latest report from sustainable brands include:
1) Sustainable brands grew even faster than they did in 2014.
2) Delivered nearly half Unilever’s growth.
3) Grew significantly faster - in fact 30% faster- than the rest of the business.

Paul Polman, Unilever CEO, said: “Business can play a leadership role in disrupting markets in support of sustainable living – and they will be rewarded by consumers who are also seeking responsibility and meaning as well as high quality products at the right price. There is no trade-off between business and sustainability, it is creating real value for Unilever.”

The update from Unilever was shared with sustainability specialists from NGOs, academia and business, who gathered in London this to see how collective action can help achieve the sustainable goals.

Unilever also unveiled new research indicating shifting consumer trends towards people wanting a more sustainable lifestyle.

Key findings from the research include:
1) Sustainability is no longer a niche issue.
2) 54% of consumers want to buy more sustainably.
3) Consumers want it all - high performing products, the right price and with a purpose that they can connect with.

Since the launch of the plan, Unilever said it had helped around 482 million people to improve their health and hygiene, including through handwashing, improving self-esteem and oral hygiene.

It said the majority of its foods and beverage portfolio met, or are better than, benchmarks based on national nutritional recommendations – and 34% met highest nutritional standards. 

Unilever also helped around 600,000 smallholder farmers and 1.8 million small-scale retailers to access training and support.

Furthermore, since 2008, the company has reduced CO2 emissions from energy by 39% per tonne of production; water by 37% per tonne of production; and waste sent to disposal by 97% per tonne of production.