Unilever highlights progress on sustainability project

Unilever has reported its progress in carrying out its ambitious Unilever Sustainable Living Plan in the last year.

2011 represented the first full year of the groundbreaking project, which was announced in November 2010 and affects Unilever's entire supply chain, from sourcing of raw materials through to the use of products by consumers.

The company has now confirmed it will reach its target of 100 percent certified sustainable palm oil by the end of 2012, three years ahead of schedule, with a new goal of buying all palm oil from certified traceable sources by 2020 now set.

Unilever is also achieving good progress in terms of renewable energy use, safe water provision and healthier nutrition products, but is having more difficulty changing consumer behaviour, meaning it will seek partners to find solutions in this area.

Chief executive officer Paul Polman said: "We believe that our future success depends upon being able to decouple our growth from our environmental footprint, while at the same time increasing our positive social impacts."

Last month, the company launched a new online space that will encourage collaborators to help Unilever with its various sustainability projects.