Actively promoting biodiversity

As a Company that sources ingredients from all over the world, from vanilla in Madagascar to citrus in California, we take our responsibility to preserve biodiversity extremely seriously.

Biodiversity is essential for the survival of all species and it is the natural heritage we leave as a legacy for future generations.

Protecting our planet

We recognise the urgent need to protect biodiversity as the planet experiences an unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss, with direct consequences for humanity. We are actively working to reduce our impact or even nullify it by assessing and monitoring each step of our activity throughout the life cycle of our products.

Givaudan could not exist without a steady supply of more than 12,400 ingredients from across the globe, natural resources used in the creation of our products. Our activities depend on biodiversity, as do the many communities we work with and look to support. We acknowledge that bending - and reversing - the curve of biodiversity loss will require a combination of actions including increased conservation, and more sustainable production and consumption. 

The inspiration we find in nature for our creations and products provides us an opportunity to value and protect ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity and frequently unique.

Our efforts to protect and restore natural habitats, and to sustainably use and restore biodiversity are in line with Givaudan’s efforts towards SDG 2 'Zero hunger'; SDG 3 'Good Health & WellBeing'; SDG 6 'Freshwater availability and sustainable management'; SDG 12 'Sustainable production and consumption'; SDG 13 'Climate Action'; SDG 15 'Life on land' and SDG 17 'Partnerships to achieve the Goal', which is also an enabler of our action.

For more on our latest progress, read our 2022 Sustainability Report.

Working together for change

Closely to our work to promote biodiversity, we’re continuing to evolve and strengthen our approach in helping to prevent deforestation. In 2020, we launched our Palm Position Statement. In it, we emphasise our commitment to non-deforestation, including ‘No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation (NDPE)’ principles. As of the end of 2022 we have reached 78% traceability to mill for palm products (oil and derivatives from palm and palm kernel), very close to our 2025 target of reaching 80% purchased by volume.

We co-fund projects which tackle sustainability issues at the beginning of our palm supply chains in Indonesia and Malaysia; for example through our work with Earthworm Foundation; a non-profit organisation driven by the desire to positively impact the relationship between people and nature.

Supporting reforestation efforts through the Givaudan Foundation

The Givaudan Foundation has worked with clove growers in Madagascar to preserve natural resources and prevent the use of local wood as an energy source for the distillation of clove oil.

A recent initiative helped reduce environmental pressures on the local forest while ensuring more sustainable production. By the end of 2021, Givaudan and the Foundation had allowed for 800,000 trees of local varieties of acacias, grevilleas and clove trees to be planted.

Our efforts to protect biodiversity are closely connected to our responsible sourcing initiatives, which focus on promoting sustainable working practices and sourcing raw materials with maximum respect for the environment.