10 Years of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan [ENG SUBS]

Summary

The video script discusses Unilever's US LP as a visionary framework that has set the company apart by driving ambitious goals and metrics. It highlights the company's leadership in sustainable practices, such as reducing emissions and eliminating PVC use, and emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge with competitors. The speaker reflects on the challenges of consumer behavior change and the need for collective efforts to address global issues like inequality and women's safety. The script concludes by celebrating the transformative impact of Unilever's initiatives and the importance of continuous improvement and ambition.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The U.S. LP provided a visionary framework with clear goals and metrics that set Unilever apart in the business world.
• 🌱 Unilever believes in an integrated failure model and aims to champion a responsible business model that reflects societal needs.
• 🎯 The ambitious goals of the U.S. LP required Unilever to think and operate beyond their comfort zone, without a predefined path to success.
• 🛣️ The LP served as a 'North Star', guiding Unilever to build on its foundations and develop a purpose-driven approach.
• 🔄 Unilever was a pioneer in banning the use of PVC and promoting more sustainable materials and practices within the industry.
• 🤝 The company emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge with competitors and partners to encourage industry-wide sustainability.
• 🍭 Unilever led the way in reformulating products to be healthier, using less sugar and more natural ingredients, without compromising taste or affordability.
• 🌡️ Reducing consumer emissions has been a significant challenge, as changing habits, such as long showers or baths, is difficult.
• 🌾 Unilever acknowledges the difficulty in impacting crops not sourced directly and the importance of visibility in the supply chain.
• 🌐 The company has been instrumental in convening partners and initiating programs for sustainable palm oil and other key commodities.
• 🏆 Unilever's commitment to the U.S. LP has made it an attractive employer, attracting people who want to work for a purpose.
• 🚀 The journey of the U.S. LP has been transformative, with the company achieving significant milestones and recognizing areas for further improvement.
• 💪 Unilever's work is about driving large-scale, transformational change, impacting millions of lives and making a real difference globally.
• 🌍 The company is developing a global framework to enhance safety for women in rural spaces, demonstrating a commitment to social issues beyond business.
• 🔄 As the first iteration of the U.S. LP comes to an end, Unilever is poised to build on its successes and ambitions for an even greater impact in the future.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe the U.S. LP provided for Unilever?

The speaker believes the U.S. LP provided Unilever with a strong framework for action, clear goals and metrics, and was visionary at the time.

How has the U.S. LP impacted Unilever's business according to the speaker?

The U.S. LP has set Unilever apart and changed everything for the business by providing a clear direction and purpose.

What was the initial feeling of the speaker before the launch of the U.S. LP?

The speaker felt mildly terrified the week before the launch, which they consider a good internal benchmark for being on the right track.

How did the goals of the U.S. LP influence the way people at Unilever think and interact?

The ambitious goals of the U.S. LP required people to step out of their comfort zones and think and interact in a completely different way, fostering innovation.

What significant environmental action did Unilever take as part of the U.S. LP?

Unilever was the first company in the world to ban the use of PVC, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.

Why is it important for Unilever to share their learnings with competitors and peers?

Sharing learnings is important because it can inspire others to achieve similar goals, such as zero landfill, and promote collective progress in sustainability.

What challenges did Unilever face in trying to reduce emissions from consumer habits?

Changing consumer habits, such as long-haul showers or long hot baths, has been incredibly difficult due to people's preferences and attachment to these habits.

How has Unilever's understanding of the consumer evolved over time?

Unilever's understanding of the consumer has matured significantly, allowing them to better identify what they can and cannot influence in terms of sustainability.

What initiatives has Unilever taken to improve the sourcing of its crops and commodities?

Unilever has set up round tables for sustainable palm oil and focused on crops and commodities like vanilla and cocoa, aiming to make a significant difference in these areas.

What advice does the speaker give for organizations undertaking a similar journey to Unilever's U.S. LP?

The speaker advises organizations to stay the course despite the challenges, as the journey is worth the effort and can lead to transformational change at scale.

How does the speaker describe the impact of Unilever's work on people's lives?

The speaker describes the impact as meaningful and transformational, not just helping one person but millions, which gives a sense of real pride and accomplishment.

What is Unilever's stance on the issue of inequality and women's participation in society?

Unilever acknowledges the ongoing challenges around inequality and barriers for women's full participation in society and is working to develop a global framework to drive safety for women in rural spaces.

Why is the U.S. LP considered a factor in making Unilever an attractive employer?

The U.S. LP has made Unilever an attractive employer because it demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, which appeals to people who want to work for a purpose.

What is the speaker's view on the future of Unilever's U.S. LP?

The speaker sees the sunset of the first iteration of the U.S. LP as an opportunity to acknowledge achievements and gaps, using them as a springboard for even greater ambition in the future.