Unilever Deforestation-Free Supply Chain.
Progressing towards a deforestation-free and traceable supply chain.
In 2020, Unilever committed to achieving a deforestation and conversion-free supply chain. Unilever is fulfilling its no-deforestation commitment by transforming its sourcing practices and establishing the necessary infrastructure, along with monitoring and verification systems, to ensure a deforestation-free and conversion-free supply chain.
Monitoring deforestation and empowering transparency.
Aiming to end deforestation in five forest-risk commodities.
Unilever is committed to eliminating deforestation across five forest-risk commodities: palm oil, paper and board, soy, tea, and cocoa. To ensure their purchases are not linked to deforestation, they follow three routes: certification, third-party verification, and sourcing from areas with minimal deforestation risk.
Deforestation-free progress.
By the end of 2023, 97.5% of palm oil, paper and board, tea, soy, and cocoa had been independently verified as deforestation-free.
Utilizing data and technology.
Unilever is implementing robust infrastructure, state-of-the-art monitoring systems, and transformative sourcing practices.
From data to stories.
Leveraging cutting-edge GIS for monitoring and storytelling, bringing unparalleled transparency to their sustainability journey.
Designing Unilever’s Deforestation-Free Storytelling Tool.
Delivered with impact.
Leveraging the influence of palm oil.
Unilever’s interventions in the palm oil supply chain highlight the critical steps needed to achieve deforestation-free operations. By focusing on safeguarding tropical forests, enhancing transparency, and supporting independent mills and smallholder farmers, Unilever demonstrates how targeted strategies can address complex sustainability challenges. These efforts serve as a case study for what is required to transform an industry and meet ambitious environmental goals.
As a global leader, Unilever is uniquely positioned to inspire accountability and action across industries. By sharing their progress transparently and publishing supplier lists, they set a benchmark for corporate responsibility. Looking ahead, Unilever aims to strengthen its deforestation-free initiatives, extend its impact to natural ecosystem restoration, and drive product innovation to align growth with a net-zero transition.
Setting the standard of transparency.
- We designed an interactive tool that showcases Unilever's sustainability achievements by combining geospatial insights, storytelling, and robust data visualization.
- Unilever’s interventions in the palm oil supply chain provide a critical roadmap for achieving deforestation-free operations, setting a new standard for industry accountability.
- This project highlights Unilever’s accomplishments and lays the groundwork for ongoing ecosystem restoration, product innovation, and broader industry transformation toward sustainability.
