Excellence in sustainability
The forum in Zurich was attended by 200 business, government and NGO leaders in the sustainability field. The Sustainability Leadership Award acknowledges personal excellence in implementing the principles of sustainability in the corporate sector. It was awarded by Sustainability Asset Management (SAM) and the Sustainable Performance Group (SPG).
The International Sustainability Forum is a public/private partnership dedicated to the promotion of practical solutions for sustainability and corporate responsibility. This year's Forum in Zurich was attended by 200 business, government and NGO leaders in the sustainability field and discussed ways in which the private sector can contribute to development.
The benefits of responsible business
In his speech, Mr Burgmans argued that business contributes to development by pursuing its commercial goals in a responsible, sustainable way: "We believe passionately that the very business of doing business responsibly has a positive benefit. In Unilever, we do this by using our capabilities to contribute to the vitality of people, to the economic prosperity of communities and the well-being of the environment on which we all depend."
Companies can only play their part in achieving sustainable development if they are responsible corporate citizens. He said: "For Unilever that means, among other things, having a clear Code of Business Principles by which we operate. We don’t see corporate responsibility as something we 'do' to society. It is an integral part of everything we do."
The need for partnership
Mr Burgmans emphasised the need to work in partnership to achieve development: "No single company can ever hope to address broad social and community issues alone. But we can - and do - contribute our capabilities in partnership with others."
He pointed to Unilever's work to improve hygiene and nutrition, highlighting the sale of Annapurna iodised salt in Ghana and the Lifebuoy handwashing campaign in India. "Our response has been to approach problems by applying a combination of our scientific know-how, our manufacturing skills and our experience in product distribution and communication.
"The success of Annapurna, for example, provides clear evidence of how business - by doing business - contributes to development. This is a clear win-win-win. Consumers win by taking in the much-needed micro-nutrients. The authorities win by helping to improve the health of their people. And we in business win by selling a product profitably."
Mr Burgmans said that Unilever's sustainability initiatives in agriculture, fish and water contribute to a better understanding of the use of natural resources. In these global programmes, Unilever works in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders to promote sustainable farming and fishing practices, and the sustainable use of water.
The role of business
"Business has to play a role in addressing the social, environmental and economic challenges of development in a responsible, sustainable way. We are keen to use our capabilities to play our part," he said.
