Making A Positive Impact in Our World

Earlier this year, I shared some thoughts about the importance of being uncomfortable and seeing change as a constant opportunity. I truly believe that our success depends not just on delivering superior, consumer-preferred brands and products, but also on constantly challenging ourselves and pushing ourselves to do more and do better.

At P&G, we do this through innovation – we are problem solvers. Everything we touch, we can make better. With our global reach, our understanding of the five billion consumers we serve, and our innovation and supply chain capabilities, we have a unique ability to make a positive difference for our consumers, our society and our world. We can help protect our world’s natural resources – and we can do so while delighting consumers and growing our business.

Today, I’m proud to share that we have already achieved – ahead of schedule – several environmental sustainability goals that we set for 2020, building on our legacy of environmental leadership. Since 2010, we have reduced absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 16 percent, reduced water use in manufacturing facilities by 27 percent and achieved zero manufacturing waste to landfill (ZMWTL) for more than 80 percent of our manufacturing sites, with the remaining sites on target to achieve ZMWTL over the next two years.

2020 Goals: Where We’ve Been

From where I sit, I get to see the progress that we’ve made against our 2020 goals quite clearly, across our brands and everywhere we operate. Some of it is integrated into how we produce and package our products, and some is apparent in how we’re innovating with sustainability in mind. What’s critically important is that we do this while also solving the fundamental problem consumers are trying to address with our products. We have to deliver both – efficacy and the environmental benefit. 

Two quick examples: first, Head & Shoulders – the largest shampoo brand in the world and one of the fastest growing – produced the world’s first recyclable shampoo bottle made with recycled beach plastic – the world’s largest production run of recyclable bottles made with beach plastic. Second, Pampers Pure Collection Diapers, which are made with no chlorine bleaching, fragrance, or parabens and deliver superior dryness and protection.  

Ambition 2030: Where We’re Headed

We’ve achieved many of our 2020 goals and we’re committed to stay on track with plans in place to meet the rest. However, achieving our 2020 goals is not enough. Our consumers want and expect more. P&G can enable and inspire positive impact in the world around us, while also creating value for the Company and for our consumers.

So, rather than being comfortable with the progress we’ve made, I’m pleased to announce an ambitious new set of environmental goals that we intend to achieve by 2030.

Together, with input from our people and our partners, we have made bold commitments in four key areas: our brands, our supply chain, society and our employees.

We will enable responsible consumption through our 20 leadership brands. 

·     By 2030, all product packaging for these brands will be completely recyclable or reusable.

·     We will also strengthen trust with our consumers by sharing our safety science across all our brands, and by launching more sustainable innovations in every product category.

 We will improve sustainability up and down the supply chain.

·     Over the next 12 years, our manufacturing sites will cut their greenhouse gas emissions in half.

·     P&G will purchase enough electricity from renewable sources to power every single one of our plants.

·     Our Company will source at least 5 billion liters of water from circular sources, increasing our use of recycled water.

We will develop transformative partnerships that have positive societal impact.

·     Working with partners around the world, we will continue to help stem the flow of plastic into the world’s oceans.

·     Through collaborative innovations in waste management and product development, we will expand recycling solutions for absorbent hygiene products, like diapers.

·     We will continue to protect forests and safeguard water in priority basins.

We will inspire sustainability thinking at P&G every day.

·     We will engage and equip P&G people with the responsibility and opportunity to build sustainability thinking and practices into the work they do every day.

·     We will make sustainability thinking an explicit aspect of performance at P&G, with rewards for progress and recognition in regular performance assessments.

It’s not enough to just make superior products that delight consumers. Today, people expect more from companies – they expect us to be leaders in responsibility, including how we impact the environment. This is an opportunity we embrace as we strive every day to be a force for good and a force for growth. You can learn more about P&G’s Ambition 2030 goals here.