Unilever articulated their purpose in plain English,
“to make sustainable living commonplace,” which is
easy to understand and communicate. The company’s
approach to sustainability is systematic and holistic.
It is embedded in brands and categories, within R&D,
within its reward and measurement systems, and
through an integrated governance system. Through
cross-functional communication, training and development,
accountability, and a host of other measures,
sustainability has been embedded to a great extent.
Managers across all functions and within its categories
(Foods, Refreshment, Personal Care, and Home Care)
work up, down and across the organization. They are
looking at their own operations as well as those of
their suppliers and distributors, all the way to the end
consumer, through a “sustainability lens.” In turn,
sustainability has stopped being “someone’s job” and
has become everyone’s job in all countries, all brands
and all divisions.