Can consumption become sustainable?

Billions of people around the world aspire to a better quality of life and to enjoy the benefits of everyday products like soap, shampoo and tea.

But can we really consume more without exceeding the Earth's already fragile natural limits? What must be done by companies like Unilever if economic growth is to become sustainable?

Next Monday 15 November at 9.30am (GMT), Unilever is running a live webcast on this crucial question with a panel of experts:

• Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future

• John Elkington, Executive Chairman Volans, Co-founder of SustainAbility

• Dr. Val Curtis, Director, Hygiene Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The moderator for the debate will be Jonathan Dimbleby, prolific broadcaster, writer and film-maker, who has a strong interest in environmental issues.

Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever and Gavin Neath, Global Senior Vice President for Sustainability will join the debate.

The event will also see the launch of Unilever's groundbreaking ten-year sustainability plan - a strategy which will explain how it will reduce its overall environmental footprint while at the same time continuing to grow its business.

To view the webcast, please go to: http://events.ctn.co.uk/ec/unilever/894

Safe Harbour 

This document may contain forward-looking statements, including ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘believes’ or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, including any financial objectives, and their negatives are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities, economic slowdown, industry consolidation, access to credit markets, recruitment levels, reputational risks, commodity prices, continued availability of raw materials, prioritization of projects, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain sources, consumer demands, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, the ability to complete planned restructuring activities, physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group’s filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 20-F Report and the Annual Report and Accounts 2009. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.