By 2020, the world’s citizens should be aware of biodiversity, according to the United Nations’ 2020 targets. The UEBT Biodiversity Barometer helps measure progress. The global research organization Ipsos surveyed 38,000 consumers in 13 countries between 2009 and 2014. The Barometer 2014 was unveiled on April 8th, during the Beauty of Sourcing with Respect Conference in Paris.
While 87% of consumers surveyed worldwide want companies to adopt sourcing policies that respect biodiversity, only 27% of the top 100 beauty and personal care companies actually mention biodiversity on their websites.
Consumers are also increasingly looking for transparency. 87% say they buy cosmetic products that use natural ingredients, while 77% pay attention to the origin of such ingredients.
84% of respondents say it is important to personally contribute to conserving biodiversity and biodiversity awareness is particularly high in emerging markets. More than 90% of respondents in Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam and China have heard about biodiversity, with 49% of respondents able to correctly define biodiversity, twice the number of that in developed countries.
These are some results of the 2014 Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) Biodiversity Barometer.
In 2014, 7 countries were covered: United States, France, United Kingdom, and Germany (mature countries), Colombia, Brazil, and Vietnam (emerging countries).
Awareness on the rise
Since 2009, biodiversity awareness is on a regular rise.
It is high, especially in France and in emerging countries.
When asked "Have you ever heard of biodiversity?", 94% of French people say yes, as well as 95% of Vietnamese, 93% of Colombians, and 90% of Brazilians. They are …
