07 May Socioenvironmental Projects as an opportunity for the cosmetic industry
Currently, guidelines such as healthy eating, sustainability and conscious consumption are on the rise, which is why more and more the several sectors of the industry are being questioned, including the beauty sector. The concern with the composition of products that we use daily and the impact they have on health and the environment has generated an increasing demand for natural cosmetics.
Natural cosmetics are capable of bringing the same result as a conventional product, but without the risk of undesirable reactions caused by artificial and potentially toxic substances to our organism. In addition, while synthetic cosmetics are composed of several substances harmful to the environment, many of them derived from oil, natural cosmetics are biodegradable and free of components that have a great environmental impact.
To develop the natural lines of their products, the companies in the beauty industry invest in ingredients derived from plants such as vegetable oils, natural pigments and odorous raw materials, the latter particularly interesting for creation in the perfumery. And it is in this context that we see the potential beneficial relationship between Socioenvironmental Projects developed in forest areas and the cosmetic industry.
Brazil is the country with the greatest biodiversity in the world. There are more than 116,000 animal species and more than 46,000 plant species known in the country, spread over six terrestrial biomes and three great marine ecosystems. This abundant variety of life houses more than 20% of the world’s total species, found on land and water. The rich Brazilian biodiversity is a source of resources for the country, not only for the ecosystem services provided, but also for the opportunities that represent its conservation, sustainable use and genetic heritage.
The Brazilian genetic heritage is in the organisms that occur naturally in Brazil, that is, of native living beings or those that acquired specific characteristics in the national territory. Accessing the genetic heritage is, for example, using the information contained in samples of plants, animals, microorganisms or substances derived from them to study what they are made of, testing what they are used for or to develop a marketable product or process, such as medicines, perfumes and cosmetics. We are talking about a rich and vast universe of genetic assets to be explored.
Supporting a certified Socioenvironmental Project in a forest area is to invest in an environment very rich in biodiversity, culture and natural raw material. It is, at the same time, adding value to the product and promoting sustainable production techniques, improving the quality of life of several families and valuing the conservation of the natural resources of our planet.
The socioenvironmental projects promoted by Canopée are thought and conducted in such a way as to show that it is possible to have the forest as a partner and not as a competitor or a challenge to be overcome. When we talk about forest areas, we talk about an environmental power of sociobiodiversity. We value investments that lead to the development of technologies that dialogue with traditional and scientific knowledge, encouraging initiatives based on sustainable production and ensuring the territorial rights of the communities.
It is extremely important that, through a sustainable Development model that promotes income, we balance our coexistence with one of our largest active capitals. Our commitment is with the strengthen of the biodiversity conservation, the reduction of deforestation and the improve of communities’ livelihoods.