09/20/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2021 08:00
Ending world hunger, stopping climate change and fighting for gender equality are headlining ours.
They may sound like impossible targets, but a new campaign launching today suggests that if we collectively take action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (aka Global Goals) and work towards them, we could make the seemingly unachievable, achievable.
The brainchild of Project Everyone, a not-for-profit creative communications agency headed up by Love Actually screenwriter Ricard Curtis, The World's To Do List campaign is calling on companies around the world to sacrifice some of their business space, be it online or in the real world, and dedicate it to raising awareness about the importance of the Global Goals.
That's why over the next week, sticky notes featuring the Global Goals will be appearing across Unilever's websites and social channels as well as projected onto the London HQ.
They will be covering up our brand logos online and included on employee's social posts… all as a reminder that the planet and its people have to come first.
How the Global Goals are at the heart of our business
Although we'll be highlighting the seven Global Goals below this week, the reality is that our business plan, the Unilever Compass, reflects a commitment to working towards achieving all 17.
Our €1 billion Climate and Nature fund, for example, was launched to help our brands run nature positive projects that will help combat climate change over the next ten years. And our Positive Beauty vision aims to harness the power of our beauty and personal care brands to help improve health and wellbeing and advance equity and inclusion.
In the same way, through our Future Foods commitments, we are working to transform global food systems so that they are fairer, less wasteful and better for the health of people and the planet. And our Clean Future initiative is committed to replacing 100% of the carbon derived from fossil fuels in our Home Care formulations with renewable or recycled alternatives by 2030.
"The world faces enormous challenges, from runaway climate change to hunger and dire poverty. Interconnected issues that will not be solved unless we take collective action - across businesses, governments and civil society," explains Rebecca Marmot, Unilever Chief Sustainability Officer.
"The Global Goals give us a clear framework to help us tackle these challenges and deliver a thriving planet and society by 2030. We are committed to playing our part, and are hopeful that we'll collectively cross items off this critically important 'to do' list."
Zero Hunger: Knorr
Good health and wellbeing: Degree/Signal/Vaseline
Health inequalities and social exclusion have no place in the world. Our soaps, toothpastes and household cleaners are working to tackle the barriers that hold people back.
Gender equality and SDG 10 Reduced inequalities Dove/Sunsilk
Diversity and inclusion have been core to our business for many years. We are now taking that momentum and going further - in the pursuit of equity. We want fair treatment and fair access to opportunities, information and resources for all, so that everyone can thrive in truly inclusive societies.
Clean water and sanitation Lifebuoy/Domestos
We're fighting the dangers of poor sanitation and hygiene by helping millions of people gain access to clean toilets, keep their homes clean and improve hygiene behaviours.
Climate action: B&J /DiG
A net zero emissions world is possible and we have an ambitious plan to take Unilever to net zero by 2039. We're transitioning to renewable energy across our operations, finding new low-carbon ingredients and developing fossil-fuel-free cleaning and laundry products. We're harnessing our power to encourage change well beyond our business.
Responsible consumption and production: Hellmann's/LBP/Comfort
Today's throwaway culture is costing us the earth. That's why we are working to keep waste in the economy and out of the environment
Adopted by the UN in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals, aka Global Goals, are a universal call to all countries to work in partnership with a common aim of ending poverty, improving health and education, reducing inequality, and nurturing economic growth while also working to stop climate change and protect the natural world.