CDP gives Unilever triple ‘A’ for sustainability leadership

Unilever has been highlighted as a world leader in corporate sustainability by global environmental non-profit CDP, achieving a place on its ‘A List’ for climate change, protecting forests and water security.

Based on data submitted through CDP’s questionnaires, the list recognises those companies that are working to develop a sustainable economy through their actions to mitigate climate risk, protect forests and enhance water stewardship.

CDP’s annual environmental disclosure and scoring process is widely seen as the gold standard of corporate environmental transparency.

“Unilever is committed to working with NGOs, governments and the wider industry to change the way the world does business,” says Unilever’s Chief Supply Chain Officer Marc Engel. “We’re delighted to have been recognised as a leader in water security, and the fight against deforestation and climate change.”

In 2019, over 525 investors with more than $96 trillion in assets and 125 major purchasers with $3.6 trillion in procurement spend requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks and opportunities through CDP’s platform.

CDP uses a detailed and independent methodology to assess the 8,400 respondents, allocating a score of A to D- based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks and demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets.

CDP’s scoring for forests is conducted through the lens of the four commodities that cause most deforestation: timber products, cattle products, soy and palm oil.

Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP, says: “The scale of the business risks from the climate emergency, deforestation and water insecurity are vast – as are the opportunities from addressing them – and it’s clear the private sector has a vital role to play at this critical time.

“The A List companies are leading the market in corporate sustainability, tackling environmental risks and setting themselves up to thrive in tomorrow’s economy.”

^{Both photos in this article were taken by Unilever employees. Eucalyptus forest in Sri Lanka by Lucie Bjackova, Czech Republic. Farmer in rice field by Fabrizio Vivarelli, Italy.}