Accelerating sustainability to create a better future
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At HUL, we are committed to building an organisation that does good for the people as well as the planet. From conserving water in drought-susceptible regions to reducing energy consumption, enabling the circularity of plastics, and creating livelihoods, our initiatives are a testament to what’s possible with a sharp focus on identifying gaps, innovating solutions, and forging collaborations for a sustained impact.
Sustainability has been the core of everything we do at HUL. The urgency of climate change can no longer be ignored; its far-reaching consequences necessitate swift, decisive action – now. Over the years, our dedication to sustainability has only deepened, yielding tangible, planet-positive results and lasting community impact across India. As India strives towards a more sustainable future, we remain committed to prioritising climate action, sustainable development, and social equity – pivotal pillars in our collective pursuit of a better tomorrow.
At HUL, we believe what’s good for India is good for HUL. This belief has shaped our journey, enabling us to build a future-fit organisation that thrives on the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, and pioneering.
Rohit Jawa, CEO & MD of HUL
90 years of doing well by doing good
Over the last nine decades of our incorporation in India, we have implemented decisive actions across our operations, value chain, brands, and communities, leading to tangible, positive impact.
India will play a critical role in achieving our global sustainability goals.
As we scale up our efforts, we are sharpening our focus on the critical sustainability pillars vital to our business and the communities we serve.
Our key sustainability focus areas
Climate
With climate change posing an ever-greater threat, HUL is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and driving energy efficiency. We have been working towards eliminating fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy across our operations. We’ve also partnered with Brookfield to develop a 45 MW solar park in Rajasthan as part of our Net Zero target by 2039.
Moreover, we are digitising our manufacturing ecosystem to create more sustainable factories that improve productivity while reducing environmental impact. Two of our factories—Dapada and Sonepat—have earned the prestigious ‘End-to-End Lighthouse’ title from the World Economic Forum for implementing advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions on the shop floor. These Sustainability Lighthouse factories utilise revolutionary technologies that enhance speed and agility while significantly reducing energy, water, and waste. It is a matter of immense pride that Dapada was not only the first Unilever site but also the first Indian company to receive this recognition.
Nature
HUL is at the forefront of efforts to protect and regenerate India’s natural resources. Through the Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF), we have implemented large-scale water conservation projects across thousands of villages, creating a potential water saving of over 3.2 trillion litres. We also promote sustainable farming, soil health, and biodiversity. This approach helps safeguard the land, ensuring future-ready ecosystems that support both our business and the communities we work in.
Plastics
As a fast moving consumer goods company, we realise the importance of plastic in our business while also realising the environmental damage it can cause if not managed efficiently.
We are leveraging Unilever’s R&D might to help reduce our use of virgin plastic in packaging and ensuring circularity of plastic by reusing plastic.
Our goal is to ensure that 100% of our plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable – by 2030 (for rigids) and 2035 (for flexibles).
Livelihoods
India’s demographic advantage, with millions of youth joining the workforce in the next decade, presents a significant opportunity for inclusive growth. HUL’s initiatives, such as Project Shakti, have empowered over 200,000 women micro-entrepreneurs, while SAFAL has certified 100,000 youth, providing jobs to over 50,000. We are also focused on social inclusion through initiatives like Utthaan, which integrates waste workers into government schemes, improving their quality of life.
Social progress and shared growth
At HUL, our approach is deeply intertwined with social progress and shared growth. By actively partnering with diverse stakeholders, including suppliers, government institutions, NGOs, and academic experts, to foster innovation and long-term resilience we are accelerating our sustainability journey. Collaboration helps catalyse transformational change that benefits not only our business but the country as a whole.
By integrating sustainability into every aspect of our operations, we ensure that our business aligns with India’s broader sustainability goals. This synergy between business and community development is core to our philosophy of shared value creation, reaffirming that what is good for HUL is good for the country.