Sustainability report 2017
Delivering our
purpose
Innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes
Chef executive's introduction
Delivering our purpose
Download the full statementOur purpose is to make a difference by giving people innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes. It is the cornerstone of everything we do and gives meaning to our work.
Our betterRB strategy
Sustainability is at the heart of our betterRB corporate strategy which consists of three strategic pillars – betterbusiness, bettersociety and betterenvironment.
betterbusiness
The betterbusiness element of our strategy has four pillars: organisation and culture; Powerbrands; Powermarkets; and Virtuous earnings model. These combine to focus us on faster-growing markets and categories and enable us to outperform.
Our approach to sustainability
- Addressing Global Issues
- Responsibly developing innovative solutions
- Operating in a sustainable way
- Empowering and developing our people
- Delivering our purpose
- Addressing Global Issues
- Responsibly developing innovative solutions
- Operating in a sustainable way
- Empowering and developing our people
- Delivering our purpose
Our global brands and worldwide operations help us to make important contributions to some of the world's most pressing challenges (read more).
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline the global priorities for ending poverty, protecting the environment and ensuring prosperity for all. Our purpose is to deliver healthier lives and happier homes and in this context, we fully support delivery of all the SDG goals and supporting targets by 2030. We believe we can make the biggest impact on the following four goals. We have also highlighted our contribution to other relevant goals in our Sustainability Report.
2. Zero Hunger
Following the acquisition of MJN, we will be adding Zero Hunger (SDG 2) to our key areas of focus from 2018. This aligns to MJN’s mission to nourish the world’s children for the best start in life. In support of this, we have published our first pledge on infant and child nutrition (available at rb.com).
3. Good health
and well-being
Durex is now supporting people in embracing their own sexual rights while living a life free of STIs, discrimination and unwanted pregnancies. Increasing consumer access to condoms is essential for enabling people to lead healthy sex lives in communities with extra risk factors, such as amongst young people who are just starting to explore their own sexuality, in communities with greater discrimination against women, and in developing countries where rates of HIV remain high.
5. Gender
equality
RB Pakistan was commended for Project Hope, which gives rural women the opportunity to break out of stereotypical roles and become entrepreneurs promoting health and hygiene behaviours within their own communities while earning a livelihood to support their families. Project Hope began with 600 households in 2016 and has this year grown to reach over 100,000 households.
6. Clean water
and sanitation
Following the success of Banega Swachh in India, RB has expanded sanitation programmes into other countries: Pakistan - launched school wash clubs and adult education programmes Bangladesh - reached 3.9 million people, including a campaign for National Toilet Day Sri Lanka - launched ‘Clean Hands Clean Nation’, promising to provide 100% sanitation to all Sri Lankans by 2025 Nigeria - directly impacted 3.3 million people in 2017 with hygiene and sanitation education programmes.
We design our products to be better for the environment, safe, and more effective in making lives healthier (read more).
Sustainable products
It is essential that our products are designed and produced in a way that maximises the benefit to those who use them while reducing impacts on to the environment.
Making progress
bettersociety
Aim
1/3 Net Revenue from more sustainable products by 20201
Status in 2017
19%NR from more sustainable products
betterenvironment
1/3 reduction in carbon footprint of products by 20201
reduction
1/3 reduction in water impact of products by 20201
reduction
Product Stewardship
Developing, manufacturing and distributing products that are safe, effective and clearly labelled is the cornerstone of our product stewardship approach.
Making progress
bettersociety
Aim
100%ingredient transparency by 2020
Status in 2017
63%Net Revenue from products with ingredient lists published
We aim to minimise the impacts our operations have on the environment through sustainable production and responsible sourcing (read more).
Greenhouse gases (GHGs)
GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, contribute to climate change and it is therefore critical that we play a role in ensuring GHGs are significantly reduced to keep planetary warming below 2oC.
Making progress
betterenvironment
Aim
40% reduction in GHG from manufacturing by 20201
Status in 2017
30.9%reduction
35% reduction in energy consumption by 20201
Reduction
Water
In many parts of the world, millions face increasing levels of water scarcity and/or poor water quality. Our role is to seek ways to reduce the impact of our water footprint in our operations.
Making progress
betterenvironment
Aim
35% reduction in water use in manufacturing by 20201
Status in 2017
36.5%reduction
Waste
Only a small proportion of the world’s waste is effectively reused, recycled or recovered, with the rest being sent to landfill, incinerated or ending up as litter. Our priority is to reduce the waste generated at our facilities and send zero waste landfill.
Making progress
betterenvironment
Aim
Zero waste to landfill by 2020 at all factories
Status in 2017
100%factories with zero waste to landfill
30% reduction in waste by 20201
reduction
Responsible Sourcing
The production and supply of raw materials can lead to a number of social and environmental challenges. Through entrepreneurship and creativity, communities can become more sustainable.
Making progress
betterenvironment
Aim
Full traceability to mill for suppliers outside India (excluding surfactants)
100% traceability to port in India
Status in 2017
88%traceability
90%traceability
Our people are what make RB great. Key ingredients essential for outperformance include keeping people safe, promoting diversity and inclusion, ensuring everyone is treated with respect and acts responsibly, and providing opportunities for people to develop their skills and careers (read more).
Our People
At RB our outperformance starts with our people. We empower and develop colleagues in line with our values of ownership and entrepreneurship to deliver our purpose and drive our results.
Making progress
betterbusiness
Aim
Double the number of females in senior management positions from a 2016 baseline
Status in 2017
24%of senior management are women
Health & Safety
It is the duty of employers to keep their people safe and healthy at work by minimising their exposure to risks and providing training, education and encouragement where it is needed.
Making progress
betterbusiness
Aim
Continued reduction of Lost Work Day Accident Rate vs 2012
Status in 2017
13%increase in LWDAR since 2012
All manufacturing sites with OHSAS 18001 certification achieved *
achieved
Human Rights
We are all entitled to live with dignity, freedom, equality, justice and peace. Organisations such as RB must do their utmost to ensure these fundamental principles are respected across their value chain.
Making progress
bettersociety
Aim
100% of management employees completing human rights training by 2018
Status in 2017
76%trained
Our products improve the lives of millions of people across the world. They make lives healthier and homes happier and cleaner (read more).
Social Investment
As a large international organisation with brands and operations in all corners of the world, we recognise and relish the opportunity we have to make a difference in the lives of millions of people.
Making progress
Purpose-led brands
RB strives to make a positive impact in the lives of millions of people through our global brands with purpose.
Making progress
bettersociety
Aim
400m people reached with health and hygiene messaging by 2020
Status in 2017
568mreached