Paul Polman

“Practically, systemic thinking can be used to identify problems, analyze their boundaries, design strategies and policy interventions, forecast and measure their expected impacts, implement them, and monitor and evaluate their successes and failures.”

“Addressing the weaknesses of capitalism will require us, above all, to do two things: first, to take a long-term perspective, and second, to re-set the priorities of business.”

“It's easy to be a short-term hero. It is very easy for me to get tremendous results very short term, get that translated into compensation, and be off sailing in the Bahamas. But the goal for this company - and it's very difficult to do - the goal is to follow a four- or five-year process.”

“The moral case for gender equality is obvious. It should not need any explanation.”

“Let's work together to make our economies strong and our climate sustainable. It can be done.”

“My career has been a level of serendipity all along. I've never planned anything out more than a few years. All the places we lived - the 12, 13 countries - and the companies I worked for were a combination of circumstances.”

“The ideal is a world in which every woman and girl can create the kind of life she wishes to lead, unconstrained by harmful norms and stereotypes.”

“We cannot eliminate poverty without enabling developing countries to engage more people in economic activity that use natural resources, and we cannot resolve runaway climate change without creating wealth in a more equitable and less carbon intensive way.”

“If we tackle deforestation in the right way, the benefits will be far-reaching - greater food security, improved livelihoods for millions of small farmers and indigenous people, more prosperous rural economies, and above all, a more stable climate.”

“As CEO of Unilever, my personal mission is to galvanize our company to be an effective force for good.”

“Sustainability makes good business sense, and we're all on the same team at the end of the day. That's the truth about the human condition.”

“The commitment to put an end to illegal deforestation and develop sustainable alternatives for commodities like palm oil and soy, for example, is an inspiring illustration of what can be achieved when governments and industry partners come together determined to bring about transformational market-wide changes.”

“Working together on solving something requires a high level of humility and a high level of self-awareness.”

“There are billions of people in the world who deserve the better quality of life that products such as soap, shampoo, and clean drinking water can provide.”

“We all have responsibility to stop violence and discrimination against women, whether it's in our businesses, in our homes, or on our streets.”

“The young give us hope because young people are certain their best days still lie ahead - which explains why they're absolutely convinced they can change the world for the better.”

“Leading businesses are making large strides in ensuring a sustainable future, but ultimately, they can only do so much.”

“Many businesses understand the advantages of gender parity.”

“Empowering women is one of the most important things we - and indeed, every business - can do.”

“The world faces enormous human development and environmental challenges, from poverty and disease to food security and climate change.”