Happi Staff07.25.20
During the past decade, Unilever made conscious decisions, as part of its Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP), to reduce its manufacturing water footprint. To date, the company achieved a 47% reduction, on an intensity and an absolute basis, exceeding its 2020 target by 7%. But there's more work to be done and Unilever is partnering with new organizations to accomplish those goals.
Last month, Unilever created a range of measures and commitments to fight climate change and protect and regenerate nature to preserve the planet’s resources for future generations.
As part of its commitments around water, the company announced that by 2030 it would:
To realize these goals, Unilever will work with two new partners. The 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG) will see Unilever engage in collective action to achieve water security for all by 2030. The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) will guide its water-stressed manufacturing sites to address water risks beyond factory walls by collaborating with other stakeholders in the shared water catchment area.
Hosted by The World Bank, the 2030 WRG’s ambition is to use the power of public–private partnerships to create water resilience for economies and societies that face serious water challenges.
“We all know water is critical for lives and livelihoods; yet we are wasting it, polluting it and taking it for granted. We need collective action to solve a water crisis that is wreaking havoc in villages, towns and cities across our planet,” said Unilever CEO Alan Jope. “Unilever is stepping up its action on water and we look forward to working with the 2030 Water Resources Group for bigger, broader impact.”
The 2030 WRG programs are data-driven and see roadmaps put in place at the request of senior levels of government to help establish long-term water security at a country or state level.
“We have an opportunity to be part of the current regenerative business movement that has a focus on systems thinking to protect, restore and replenish both human capital and natural resources,” said World Bank VP for Sustainable Development, and 2030 WRG Governing Council Co-Chair Juergen Voegele.
“With growing water scarcity challenges, exacerbated by climate change, it is more critical than ever for stakeholders to join forces to advance water security outcomes,” he explained. “We are delighted to welcome Unilever as a global 2030 WRG partner, with its core commitment to the principles of water sustainability, equitable access and livelihood security.”
And the work has already begun. In Bangladesh, Unilever has collaborated with the 2030 WRG, alongside the Red Crescent Society, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at Deputy Commissioner offices in 64 districts, and conduct a nationwide public education campaign on handwashing and hygiene with the aim of reaching 20 million people.
For the second partnership, Unilever joins the Alliance for Water Stewardship, an organization whose globally recognized framework for water stewardship, the AWS Standard, helps major water users understand their own water dependencies and impacts. As a funding member, Unilever is trialling the AWS Standard in select water-stressed sites, and looks to codify and build it into itsexisting processes and procedures. Unilever is also building on existing experience in addressing water-related issues through the Hindustan Unilever Foundation and the Prabhat program which has been implemented in eight manufacturing sites to address gaps in water supply and demand in India.
In six years, the program has helped 2.95 million people through projects such as building irrigation systems, organizing rainwater collection, and helping local farmers select water-efficient crops. All of which has resulted in 12 billion liters of additional water supply, 22 billion liters of water savings, and more than 18,000 tons of additional agricultural yield.
“We greatly welcome Unilever as a funding member of AWS," said Adrian Sym, CEO at the Alliance for Water Stewardship. "Having witnessed projects implemented by the Hindustan Unilever Foundation, I have a deep respect for how their work builds trusting relationships with communities. We are excited about the expertise, knowledge and experience that Unilever can bring to help our members improve water stewardship practice.”
Last month, Unilever created a range of measures and commitments to fight climate change and protect and regenerate nature to preserve the planet’s resources for future generations.
As part of its commitments around water, the company announced that by 2030 it would:
- make product formulations biodegradable;
- implement water stewardship programs around 100 Unilever manufacturing sites in water-stressed locations; and
- join the 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG) to contribute to transformative change and build water management resilience in key water-stressed countries.
To realize these goals, Unilever will work with two new partners. The 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG) will see Unilever engage in collective action to achieve water security for all by 2030. The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) will guide its water-stressed manufacturing sites to address water risks beyond factory walls by collaborating with other stakeholders in the shared water catchment area.
Hosted by The World Bank, the 2030 WRG’s ambition is to use the power of public–private partnerships to create water resilience for economies and societies that face serious water challenges.
“We all know water is critical for lives and livelihoods; yet we are wasting it, polluting it and taking it for granted. We need collective action to solve a water crisis that is wreaking havoc in villages, towns and cities across our planet,” said Unilever CEO Alan Jope. “Unilever is stepping up its action on water and we look forward to working with the 2030 Water Resources Group for bigger, broader impact.”
The 2030 WRG programs are data-driven and see roadmaps put in place at the request of senior levels of government to help establish long-term water security at a country or state level.
“We have an opportunity to be part of the current regenerative business movement that has a focus on systems thinking to protect, restore and replenish both human capital and natural resources,” said World Bank VP for Sustainable Development, and 2030 WRG Governing Council Co-Chair Juergen Voegele.
“With growing water scarcity challenges, exacerbated by climate change, it is more critical than ever for stakeholders to join forces to advance water security outcomes,” he explained. “We are delighted to welcome Unilever as a global 2030 WRG partner, with its core commitment to the principles of water sustainability, equitable access and livelihood security.”
And the work has already begun. In Bangladesh, Unilever has collaborated with the 2030 WRG, alongside the Red Crescent Society, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at Deputy Commissioner offices in 64 districts, and conduct a nationwide public education campaign on handwashing and hygiene with the aim of reaching 20 million people.
For the second partnership, Unilever joins the Alliance for Water Stewardship, an organization whose globally recognized framework for water stewardship, the AWS Standard, helps major water users understand their own water dependencies and impacts. As a funding member, Unilever is trialling the AWS Standard in select water-stressed sites, and looks to codify and build it into itsexisting processes and procedures. Unilever is also building on existing experience in addressing water-related issues through the Hindustan Unilever Foundation and the Prabhat program which has been implemented in eight manufacturing sites to address gaps in water supply and demand in India.
In six years, the program has helped 2.95 million people through projects such as building irrigation systems, organizing rainwater collection, and helping local farmers select water-efficient crops. All of which has resulted in 12 billion liters of additional water supply, 22 billion liters of water savings, and more than 18,000 tons of additional agricultural yield.
“We greatly welcome Unilever as a funding member of AWS," said Adrian Sym, CEO at the Alliance for Water Stewardship. "Having witnessed projects implemented by the Hindustan Unilever Foundation, I have a deep respect for how their work builds trusting relationships with communities. We are excited about the expertise, knowledge and experience that Unilever can bring to help our members improve water stewardship practice.”