Global biodiversity and the Nagoya Protocol

The Nagoya Protocol was a UN agreement signed in 2010 in the city of the same name on Japan’s east coast. This protocol is supplementary to the existing 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity, aiming to ensure fair and equitable access to the world’s genetic resources and the benefits that arise from their utilization. The protocol came into force in October 2014, and since, has been ratified by more than 100 nations. By providing a clear legal framework, the Nagoya Protocol aims to promote the conservation of the planet’s natural resources and encourage the development of the communities that are their traditional custodians.

How the Nagoya Protocol promotes cooperation and sustainability

The Nagoya Protocol helps to ensure that the benefits of the planet’s genetic resources are fairly shared. Through a clearer legal framework, the protocol establishes standards for access to natural resources and helps to make sure that the benefits are shared between the parties involved in its production or extraction. 

For instance, the Nagoya Protocol puts in place a legal system to ensure local people that possess traditional knowledge benefit fairly from the use of natural resources near to their home. Before companies or other parties access the resources, they have to ensure the community consents. From here, the contracting party has to keep in mind local customs and procedures and develop mutually agreed terms of use and access. After the resource leaves its country of origin, the protocol takes measures to monitor its utilization throughout the value-chain, including research, development, and commercialization.

This is but one example of a series of laws that aim to ensure communities benefit from the use of natural resources as much as companies. Furthermore, the protocol encourages research that contributes to global biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices.

Provital’s Nagoya Protocol-compliant projects

Provital is proud to be the first cosmetic ingredients supplier in the world to earn the Internationally Recognized Certificate of Compliance (IRCC) at Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing-House (ABSCH). This certificate is the official confirmation that the company fulfills Nagoya Protocol requirements. This is because Provital places sustainability, global biodiversity and ethical practices at the center of what they do.

A key example of Provital’s Nagoya-compliant projects is the company’s operations in Queretaro, Mexico. In collaboration with the Autonomous University of Queretaro and local community group Mujeres y Ambiente, Provital encourages the sustainable cultivation of various native botanicals. Through their work with the university, Mujeres y Ambiente and the community, Provital is playing a key role in promoting biodiversity and sustainable local economic development. Since inception, this project has been cited as exemplary by the United Nations Development Program.

“All the process of this particular case are an example of good practices, to show that the Nagoya Protocol can be implemented in a transparent and fair way, including the academic (UAQ) and private (Provital) sectors working hand-in-hand with the Local Community of Charape/la Joya, respecting their rights, protecting their biodiversity and traditional knowledge, promoting gender equity, empowering people and working together in an equal and respectful way”

– Gerardo Arroyo, Sustainable Development Official, UNDP Mexico

Promoting global biodiversity

Provital pride themselves on the development of natural, effective active ingredients for cosmetics. The organization understands that corporate responsibility is important not only to the creation of an outstanding product, but also to the customer. Today, consumers care about the sourcing, development, and production of the products they use. This is why Provital uses natural ingredients, traditional knowledge, and scientific innovation to make active ingredients that are sustainable as they are effective. By implementing international regulations like the Nagoya Protocol, companies can promote global biodiversity, socially responsible sourcing, and set an example for the industry.