"Sustainability defines the essence of who we are as a business"
Unilever is celebrating its tenth year as leader of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) in the Food & Beverage sector.
In a report compiled for the DJSI by sustainable investment specialist SAM, Unilever achieved an overall score of 80% for its social, economic and environmental contribution - ahead of other leading food sector players such as Nestlé, Danone, Kraft, Cadbury and PepsiCo.
Unilever obtained 100% for its record in environmental reporting, and environmental policy and management - two of the criteria used by SAM to analyse sustainability performance. Unilever also led the sector in raw material sourcing with a score of 85% and in human capital development with 70%.
While the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes provide a way for companies to measure their progress in sustainability - and in Unilever's case, celebrate excellent results - they also have a crucial financial dimension.
Highly regarded by influential investors all over the world, the Indexes help shape sustainability-driven investment portfolios - increasingly popular as ethical awareness grows.
"Several large institutional asset owners have moved into sustainable mandates, influential investment consultants have built up teams to support their clients in this field, and a growing number of market participants are integrating long-term economic, environmental and social factors into their analysis," says John Prestbo, Editor and Executive Director, Dow Jones Indexes.
Gavin Neath, SVP for Global Corporate Communications and Global Corporate Responsibility, is delighted to see Unilever top the food sector in the DJSI for the tenth year running.
"Well done to everyone at Unilever who has worked so hard to integrate sustainability into everything we do, every decision we make. Ten years at the top of the DJSI show that sustainability defines the essence of who we are as a business."
