Unilever's new business model is based on sustainability

Unilever has unveiled a "new business model" putting sustainability at the heart of its global operations.

The company has pledged to halve the environmental impact of its products while doubling sales over the next 10 years.

Chief executive Paul Polman said the new model was "the only way to do business long term".

Commitments:

• cut by 50% the environmental impact of its products in terms of water, waste and greenhouse gases
• source 100% of its agricultural supplies from sustainable sources
• improve the health and well-being of one billion people across the world.

Asked how the company would sell this new model to potentially sceptical City investors only interested in the bottom line, Mr Polman said: "I'm not interested whether [the plan] brings competitive advantage. This is about long-term value creation. It's the only way to do business long term". Exatly.