Turning deforestation insights into corporate transparency for Unilever.
Topics
Environmental Data Storytelling
Impact
Transparency
Credibility
Engagement
Sustainability Reporting
Value
Trust-Building
Science-Based
Audience-Centric
ESG Leadership
From sustainability metrics to meaningful stories: helping Unilever communicate its journey.
As pressure mounts on companies to communicate sustainability progress, many face a dilemma: report early and risk criticism, or wait for perfection and risk falling behind. The stakes are high—not just for compliance but also for credibility.
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With its commitment to a deforestation-free supply chain, Unilever chose a different path: sharing what it knows openly and clearly, even as work continues. But even with data in hand, the challenge remained — how do you turn complex environmental metrics into a story that’s both honest and impactful?
That’s where we came in.
Building a story from science
Unilever had robust data on traceability and deforestation risk across key commodities — palm oil, soy, paper and board, and cocoa. But publishing a topline number like “97.5% deforestation-free” wasn’t enough. They needed to explain how they got there, what that number means, and where work is ongoing.
We offered a storytelling service that transformed Unilever’s deforestation data into a transparent narrative that:
Show the methods behind the numbers
Explain sourcing strategies and verification routes
Be open about what was still a work in progress
The goal was not to present a flawless image but to communicate clearly and thoroughly and to convey the nuanced story that would build trust with stakeholders by telling the whole picture.
Communicate progress, not perfection
We helped Unilever turn a vital business development into a clear, interactive narrative that communicates progress without getting lost in the weeds. More than a summary or infographic, the tool guides users through how Unilever sources, monitors, and verifies its supply chain, including where progress is still underway.
The experience includes:
A scroll-based, modular narrative that walks users through data, decisions, interventions, and limitations
Data storytelling that clarifies — not obscures — complexity
A tone grounded in honesty and continuous improvement
By embedding the tool directly on Unilever’s corporate sustainability site, the experience becomes part of their broader ESG communication, not a temporary campaign, but a standing statement of accountability.
Demonstrating leadership through accessible data
Many companies are trying to build long-term trust in a world which is more critical and aware of the impact of global supply chains. This tool helps Unilever open the door to public understanding. It communicates that real progress is being made and sustainability is a dynamic, evolving process.
Building a transparent and comprehensive narrative helps Unilever lead by example — not by claiming perfection, but by showing progress backed by evidence. It invites stakeholders to engage with the reality of sustainable sourcing: that traceability varies by region, that verification takes time, and that deforestation-free supply chains are a work in progress.
The storytelling tool helps Unilever:
Offer public accountability on complex supply chain issues
Provide visibility into methodology, rather than presenting a polished result
Build trust with civil society, partners, and investors by sharing not just outcomes, but context
It reflects a shift from traditional corporate messaging to transparent, data-driven storytelling, showing that meaningful ESG communication isn’t about being done, but about being open.
Strategic storytelling as a sustainability asset
Sustainability progress is rarely simple, and communicating it shouldn't rely on simplification. For organisations navigating complex supply chains, evolving regulations, and diverse stakeholders, the challenge is not just reporting data, but making that data meaningful.
That’s where Environmental Data Storytelling comes in.
We guide companies to move beyond static reports and surface-level claims to deliver credible, engaging, and transparent sustainability narratives. Whether you're reporting to investors, building internal alignment, or strengthening public trust, we transform environmental data into experiences that inform and inspire.
Our Environmental Data Storytelling service helps companies:
Communicate progress without overpromising — sharing what’s known, what’s improving, and what’s still in progress
Design audience-aware tools that make technical data accessible and actionable
Reinforce sustainability leadership through transparency, not perfection
Align your ESG communications with scientific rigor and brand values
Because trust isn’t built by claiming you're done. It’s built by showing you’re doing the work, and letting others see how. If your business has a story to tell, we’re here to help you tell it right.
Calculating the water and nature footprint of a global supply chain.
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If your company is looking to strengthen supply chain traceability, set credible nature targets, and ensure compliance with emerging regulations, LandGriffon can help.
