Sustainable Tea at Unilever

a) What the reasons which made Unilever commit itself to its

'Sustainable Living Plan'?

If Unilever did not commit itself to its Sustainable Living Plan, the following
things could have happened:
i. Market advantage and consumers brand loyalty could have been in
danger.
ii. Quality and Quantity of tea could not be sustained.
iii. In hopes to better the industry and not just the company
iv. Benefits to Tea workers, Consumers and Environment.
v. Keeping ethics and morals a large part of the business.
vi. Going green was more than an advertisement piece
vii. Making a difference on a global scale
Tea supply was at risk because:
i. Geographically diverse and highly fragmented supply chain
ii. Market advantage would be an issue if nothing is being done
iii. Strong preferences and different usages of tea
iv. Workforce involved in producing and harvesting of tea exposure to
pesticides and agrochemicals
v. Low wages and lack of medical care

b) How do you think Unilever and HUL should proceed in India?

i. Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH)
ii. Establishment of sustainable tea code
iii. Raising peoples awareness and appreciation of environmental issues
iv. Following a similar process to the actions taken in Turkey (Henderson
and Nellemann 2012)
v. Use similar tactics to the certification of Kenyan farms