Beyond scents: calling on the fragrance industry to champion plant diversity.
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biag014.pdf
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1.67 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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Resource type
Journal article
Date published
March 20, 2026
Abstract
Since the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), international frameworks have emphasized benefit-sharing and private-sector engagement in conservation, a call reinforced by the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022). Yet biodiversity continues to decline, highlighting the need for funding models that effectively link commerce with conservation. Here, we examine how the fragrance industry—a sector deeply dependent on plant diversity and cultural value chains—can contribute more meaningfully to global plant conservation. Drawing on international policy frameworks, published literature, and illustrative conservation–industry partnerships, we assess mechanisms through which fragrance-related initiatives support biodiversity protection, accountability, and culturally grounded conservation narratives. We then examine The Red List Project as a conservation-first model that integrates biodiversity objectives directly into fragranced product development, using scent inspiration rather than wild harvesting. We argue that scaling such approaches could reposition the fragrance industry as an active partner in safeguarding plant diversity, biocultural heritage, and equitable benefit-sharing.
Project(s)
Director of Science
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil | Bolsa Conhecimento Brasil (BCB) fellowship (314804/2025-0) - Research project (446258/2024-5) - Bolsa Conhecimento Brasil (BCB) fellowship (314792/2025-2) - Research project (446250/2024-4) |
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil | No: APQ-02049-21 |
Vetenskapsrådet, Sweden | 2019-05191 |
Stiftelsen för Miljöstrategisk Forskning | Project BioPath |
Kew Development, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom | |
Journal title
BioScience
Article number
biag014
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Place of publication
Oxford, UK
ISSN
0006-3568
eISSN
1525-3244
Date accepted
January 27, 2026
Official URL
Rights statement
In Copyright
Additional information
IF = 8.4 (2024)