Working with others

Our partnerships

The scale of the global water crisis requires a multilateral approach.

Washright

Unilever supports an industry-led pan-European communications campaign called 'Washright' that uses on-pack advice, an internet site and TV advertising to give consumers information on how to get the laundry results they need with the least environmental impact. The guidelines were developed by AISE – the European trade association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products.

Unilever has been a long-standing champion of AISE's sustainability initiatives. In 2006 we participated in the launch of its Save Energy and Water Campaign to promote sustainable machine dishwashing. We continue to promote this initiative by including usage advice on our labels.

We are taking part in a review and update of the AISE Charter for Sustainable Development, to develop new measures that will encourage continuous improvement in sustainability at both product and industry levels. Implementation across the industry is expected throughout 2009.

Assessing water quality

The Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality (UCEWQ) at Rhodes University was established in 2002. The following year the centre launched a project to assess the effects of laundry detergents used by locals to wash clothes in the Balfour River in South Africa.

The centre assists a number of additional projects aimed at improving the management and understanding of local water systems. It is contributing to a water quality management plan for Boksburg Lake and catchment area. This urban lake suffers from industrial and domestic pollution. Help for other projects includes water quality assessments and technical expertise.

Water Footprint Network

In December 2008 Unilever helped to establish the Water Footprint Network, a multi-stakeholder group which aims to create more awareness about water sustainability. The Network will develop a standard way to measure the impact of water use, similar to a carbon footprint. The initiative includes organisations such as WWF, UNESCO, International Finance Corporation and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development as well as private sector companies.

Developing a water tool

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Water Working Group – in which we are involved – develops ideas on how water issues might evolve over the next 20–25 years. Using a scenario planning process to explore the complex issues involved, participants examine the influence of water-related issues on social, economic and environmental development and explore the role business can play in shaping appropriate actions and outcomes. This work has now led to the development and launch of a software tool that enables companies to assess their water impacts and identify areas of water stress.

Water use & hygiene

We have been involved with Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) since it was established in 2004. WSUP is a partnership between the private, public and civil society sectors. WSUP seeks to demonstrate new approaches to meeting the water, sanitation and hygiene needs of low-income consumers in urban areas, particularly in developing and emerging markets.

In 2007 we embarked on a project with WSUP to add a hygiene education element to their existing water and sanitation programmes, to see if this would boost their effectiveness.

For information on how we are promoting better hygiene through handwashing initiatives, see Hygiene and well-being.

Leadership commitment

In 2007, we joined the CEO Water Mandate, which brings together companies, leading campaigning organisations, governments and the United Nations. This initiative arose out of a partnership between the United Nations Global Compact, the Swedish government and a group of companies. It seeks to find strategic approaches to water management and engage companies in all regions of the world.

In May 2008, the chief executive officers of the 19 endorsing companies of the CEO Water Mandate, including Unilever, signed a letter to the G8, urging government leaders to take action on water. 

During 2008, a reporting framework was agreed, following detailed stakeholder engagement. The framework asks companies to disclose their water sustainability approach, including water use in the supply chain, in manufacturing, in consumer use and watershed management.