UEBT draws attention to the human dimension of biodiversity

The 6th edition of the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) ‘Beauty of Sourcing with Respect’ Conference, will be held on 8 April in Paris at the Trocadéro Conference Centre, on the theme: “The Human Dimension of Biodiversity.”

“Consumer research of UEBT/IPSOS [1] shows that consumers are increasingly mindful of the ethical aspects of biodiversity. Awareness on ‘ethical sourcing of biodiversity’ has increased from 28% in 2009 to 45% in 2013, while that on ‘equitable sharing of benefits’ rose from 38% to 50%. Within the beauty industry, nature is often central in the story of particular products or brands, but the human aspect is gaining increasing importance,” highlights the organisation.

The UEBT conference will explore efforts undertaken by companies and organizations to promote more sustainable and inclusive approaches to the sourcing of natural ingredients. It will feature new UEBT/IPSOS research on consumer awareness of biodiversity, conducted this year in seven countries around the world. Marketing experts and leading companies will explore the power of storytelling around biodiversity.

“The beauty industry recognizes more and more value to inclusive approaches such as social responsibility, fair trade, and solidarity sourcing. This conference offers a unique opportunity to discuss trends and share successful approaches on how sourcing can respect biodiversity and social issues”, says Rik Kutsch Lojenga, UEBT’s Executive Director.

In addition, the UEBT conference will once again feature updates and practical experiences on rules addressing biodiversity-based innovation, known as access and benefit sharing (ABS). Industry experts will consider the implications of the EU regulations on ABS, expected to be adopted this March.

“The EU regulation on ABS include due diligence requirements for companies developing new plant-based ingredients and products, which will impact how the beauty sector addresses research and innovation,” says UEBT’s María Julia Oliva, a leading international expert on ABS. The conference will also explore concrete approaches through which companies are putting ABS in practice in Brazil and South Africa.

More information on the UEBT Conference website: www.uebt.org/bsr_2014