Unilever is a sustainable and family-friendly company

Unilever's commitment to putting sustainable and equitable growth at the heart of its business model is helping to drive increased sales while reducing costs and risks, according to the second Unilever Sustainable Living Plan Progress report.

Brands that have made sustainability central to their brand proposition or product innovation have increased sales in 2012. These are brands such as Lifebuoy soap, which has increased its handwashing education programmes; dry shampoos such as TRESemmé and Dove, which result in 90% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to washing hair in heated water; and calorie-controlled Max and Paddle Pop children's ice creams.

At the same time, reducing energy, water, materials and waste in Unilever factories has enabled the company to take over €300m out of its system since 2008. The company has also reduced risk at a time of volatility in food commodity prices by increasing its purchases of agricultural raw materials from sustainable sources from 14% in 2010 to 36% in 2012.