In 2020, Unilever committed to achieving a deforestation-free supply chain. Its commitment means that the palm oil, paper and board, tea, soy, and cocoa entering its direct supply chain should no longer be associated with land that has been deforested or converted for farming since its cut-off date.

These commodity supply chains contribute to 65%+ of Unilever’s total impact on land, and are the crops most often linked to the deforestation of natural ecosystems. Addressing this challenge meant:

• Working with suppliers and putting in place infrastructure, systems, and policy requirements;
• Directly investing in infrastructure, technology, and innovation to ensure the most complex aspects of the supply chain are traceable.
  • Empowering farmers and smallholders to embrace deforestation-free practices
• Driving nature protection, restoration, and regeneration.

By the end of 2023, 97.5% of Unilever’s palm oil, paper and board, tea, soy, and cocoa order volumes were independently verified as deforestation-free according to the company’s requirements.