Respecting Biodiversity

A STORY OF BOUNTIFUL NATURE

We love Provence and the South of France. After all, that's where our roots lie. So it's only natural that we should want to protect and promote the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Basin. This "biodiversity hotspot" is one of the richest ecosystems in the world. We intend to do our bit to protect this precious environment.

Our Biodiversity is threatened !

Over half of the world's coral reefs have disappeared in the last 30 years.

12,000 species of plants are endangered.

The number of vertebrates in the world has been halved since 1970.

Our mission as a brand

OUR AIM:
TO PROTECT 1,000 SPECIES & VARIETIES OF PLANTS BY 2025
Two ways to help make a difference: 
1. Ensuring our ingredients are traceable from the field to the final product
2. Protecting the environment by replanting hedgerows and orchards, and supporting organic farming

 

The Lavender of Provence is under Threat

We're Determined To Protect It

Lavender decline is real! This much-loved flower, so symbolic of Provence, is suffering as a result of climate change. Since 2012, L'OCCITANE has been working with French ecological research institutes to find ways to save lavender, such as selecting new varieties of plants and using innovative cultivation techniques.

The Aqua Réotier Spring is a Natural Treasure

And it Must Remain So…

The extraordinary site of the Réotier spring must be protected. We worked with experts and conducted studies that took into account the biodiversity, landscape, geology, as well as the fauna and flora of this area. It was essential for us to ensure we could use this spring's incredible water without any negative impact on water flow or the surrounding environment. That's why we never collect more than 0.04% of the spring's annual discharge.

We Partner with IUCN – the International Union for Conservation of Nature

To Protect The Biodiversity Of Our Lands

Sometimes when you want to help, you need a little guidance… That's why we've been working with the IUCN French Committee, to determine which ecosystems are most threatened and need to be preserved. IUCN helps us to identify biodiversity issues that need to be addressed, and we do this by working with private and public entities. It means we can focus our actions where it matters!

A Community of Experts

Dedicated To The Protection Of Plants

Many heads are better than one! So at L'OCCITANE, we want to create a new partnership with a Shared Mediterranean Conservatory and establish a community of individuals, organisations, institutions and producers who'll help to study endangered plants and replant them around the region. Through projects aimed at protecting and promoting biodiversity, we can help to conserve the diversity of plants and become guardians of these precious treasures, so that future generations can continue to enjoy them.

The Tree That Bears

It takes over 20 years for the Shea tree to start bearing nuts. Shea trees grow wild in eastern and western Africa, and are native to this region. They can tolerate the hot, dry conditions, and need little water to survive, so they’re perfectly adapted to their environment. These trees help to prevent desertification, limit greenhouse gas emissions, support wildlife, and provide a source of income for local populations. There are no Shea tree plantations, so it’s incredibly important to help protect the Shea parklands.

Looking After The Trees

Our Sustainable Picking Charter, signed by the five cooperatives we work with, ensures that the Shea trees are looked after naturally, without chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals, thus protecting biodiversity.

Thanks to all involved, our supply chain was recognised by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in 2013 and 2019.

Shea Orange Blossom Solidarity Balm

A multipurpose balm to help nourish, protect and soften skin, lips and hair.
100% of the profits* from this balm rich in shea butter** and scented with orange blossom will go to fund projects of NGOs acting for the Respect of Biodiversity**, with the support of the L'OCCITANE Foundation.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PUR PROJET

At L'OCCITANE, we celebrate nature and our mission is to give back to it. This year we've partnered with PUR Projet in an effort to preserve biodiversity, We are teaming up with Trees for Survival in an effort to preserve biodiversity by planting 1,859 trees across New Zealand.

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