Unilever aims to sustainably source 100% of its agricultural

Anglo-Dutch chemicals giant Unilever says that 36% of its agricultural raw materials are now sourced sustainably and that it aims to source 100% sustainably by 2020.

The figure surpasses the 30% target the firm set itself in 2010, when it launched the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.

"Climate change, water scarcity, unsustainable farming practices and rising populations all threaten agricultural supplies and food security,” said Marc Engel, the company’s Chief Procurement Officer.

"Half of the raw materials Unilever buys are from the farming and forestry industries, so ensuring a secure supply of these materials is a major business issue. However, sustainable sourcing is not only about managing business risks, it also presents an opportunity for growth, allowing brands to stand out in the marketplace.”

Of its cosmetic ingredients, all of Unilever’s palm oil is now covered by GreenPalm certificates and the company is working towards a new commitment of 100%certified sustainable palm oil traceable back to the plantations on which it is grown.

The company has also been working with supplier Ceoco in South Africa to improve traceability in the sunflower oil supply chain. A farming community was identified in Limpopo with good practices that could initially pilot the project, and Unilever and Ceoco have since worked with the farmers by providing financial incentives to develop hybrid seeds with higher yields. The oils can then be traced back to the individual farms where the seeds were grown. The next step will be to scale up the project and roll it out to different provinces and more farmers.