I’m in it for… a more sustainable and equitable future for all

We all know that our world is under immense pressure from social exclusion, poverty, hunger, climate change… For sure there is a moral justification for decisively acting to address these issues.

But there is also a sound business case. As we procrastinate to address these issues, the cost of inaction is starting to exceed the cost of action in many areas. Conflict prevention and war, now estimated to cost 12-14% of global GDP, is just one indicator. Climate change risking to put 100 million more people into poverty is another.

Solving these global issues will take all of us – individuals, governments, and certainly businesses – working together towards a common goal.

While the desired outcome is clear, it might be hard to know where to start. In the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), agreed by all the nations in the world, we have a framework to address our world’s biggest and most pressing issues. The SDG targets include: eradicating poverty, tackling runaway climate change and creating a safe and equitable world for all by 2030. Indeed, leaving no one behind. These targets are broken down further into 17 clear goals.

While I am the first one to promote collective action, I am also the first one to recognise that business has a key part to play in delivering these goals, and hopefully achieving the targets set out by the UN.

I became CEO of Unilever in 2009, and in 2010 we launched our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. At the time this was a radical business model aiming to decouple growth from environmental footprint, while increasing overall social impact.

2.5 billion times every day, someone, somewhere will use a Unilever product. With this scale and reach our brands have an opportunity, and responsibility, to make a contribution to social change. Take Dove, for example, which works to promote body confidence and self-esteem, with a goal to reach over 100 million young people around the world. Or Lifebuoy, our antibacterial soap brand, which runs one of the world’s largest hygiene behaviour change programmes, campaigning for correct handwashing. On its way to reach 1 billion people and help to save countless lives. Two valuable contributions to promoting the goal of good health and wellbeing.

When I take a step back and look at the hundreds of million people that we have helped through the work of our brands, and through programmes across our value chain, I know exactly why I get out of bed in the morning.

I believe the work that our dedicated Unilever employees and partners deliver every day makes a tangible difference in the communities we serve. I can’t think of a deeper purpose and I am very proud and privileged to be part of this team. That is what I’m in it for.

What are you in it for?

#InItTogether