Unilever joins scheme to improve health and wellbeing in developing world

Unilever has joined a partnership that aims to improve health and wellbeing in the developing world through the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

The company is allying with the UK's Department for International Development and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership on a project called Transform, which will create jobs, increase incomes and improve the health and wellbeing of 100 million people in developing countries by 2025.

A minimum of ten million pounds will be spent over five years, with the initiative to initially focus on water, sanitation and hygiene, with the potential to expand to household energy.

It will identify and develop social business models that serve low-income households and contribute to the evidence base around behavioural change, with a focus on digital and mobile.

Paul Polman, chief executive officer of Unilever, said: "There is no business case for enduring poverty. The Sustainable Development Goals are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end poverty and tackle climate change."

The Sustainable Development Goals are a UN initiative designed to help eradicate extreme poverty, fight justice and inequality, and drive urgent action on climate change.