Sustainability Comparison

Nestlé vs Unilever Sustainability: SINK Score Comparison

Nestlé scores 5 points higher than Unilever on SINK's sustainability index.

Question-by-question

How each category compares

Category
Nestlé
Unilever
Carbon Footprint — Operations
7/10
7/10
Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain
6/10
7/10
Emissions Trajectory
6/10
3/10
Energy Source
7/10
7/10
Nature & Biodiversity Impact
5/10
7/10
Resource Use & Waste
4/10
5/10
Water Impact
5/10
5/10
Targets & Commitments
6/10
5/10
Transparency & Accountability
7/10
7/10
Controversies & Red Flags
5/10
5/10
Frequently asked

Nestlé vs Unilever, answered.

Which is more sustainable, Nestlé or Unilever?

Nestlé is more sustainable according to SINK's open sustainability index, scoring 35/100 vs Unilever's 30/100 — a difference of 5 points.

What is Nestlé's SINK sustainability score?

Nestlé scores 35/100 on the SINK sustainability index (Below expectations). Nestlé discloses comprehensive climate data with SBTi validation and 18.6% gross emissions reduction, but relies on eightfold scaling of uncertain nature-based removals to hit 2030 targets. Packaging recyclability commitments were quietly weakened in 2022 to 'designed for recycling'; greenwashing lawsuits are pending. Supply chain water and regenerative sourcing remain materially underdeveloped.

What is Unilever's SINK sustainability score?

Unilever scores 30/100 on the SINK sustainability index (Significant gaps). Unilever reports granular climate data with third-party verification, yet total emissions rose 3% in 2024 while Scope 3 dominates at 99% of the footprint. Trajectory misses SBTi targets by 45%. Multiple greenwashing investigations and weakened targets (plastics, biodiversity) undermine credibility despite renewable energy progress and deforestation commitments.

How does SINK compare Nestlé and Unilever?

Both companies are rated on the same 10-question SINK rubric: Scope 1/2/3 carbon footprint, energy source, nature and biodiversity, resource use, water, emissions trajectory, science-based targets, transparency, and controversies. Scores are 0–100, based on public data, and fully reproducible.

See the full leaderboard — 500+ companies ranked.

View full leaderboard →