The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened in October to November 2024 in Colombia.
The organisation has previously collaborated with major fashion brands, including Kering, the parent company of luxury labels such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, to conduct comprehensive biodiversity evaluations of their operations.
Biodiversify, with the backing of Kering, has also co-authored a guide outlining feasible steps for fashion businesses to adopt nature-positive practices.
The consultancy is now broadening its reach, with the backing of climate activist Kalpana Arias, as it extends its services to global fashion brands. Their goal is to assist these companies in developing effective strategies to address nature loss and implement sustainable solutions throughout the fashion supply chain.
Biodiversify associate director Katie Fensome said: “The fashion industry relies on nature for its success, but unfortunately is undermining the foundations it is built on. There is a huge opportunity for fashion companies to support a thriving ecosystem and support positive outcomes for nature.
“The Biodiversify team is committed to helping businesses navigate the complex world of conservation, offering cutting-edge intelligence that benefits both biodiversity and business.”
In 2020, the textile sector ranked as the third-largest contributor to water degradation and land use in the EU.
On average, manufacturing each EU citizen's clothing and footwear required 9m3 of water, 400m2 of land, and 391kg of raw materials.
To address these issues, Biodiversify's conservation efforts will focus on enhancing supply chains, certifying materials, and fostering regenerative agricultural practices with tailored solutions to the fashion sector.
Furthermore, the consultancy will assist brands in adhering to evolving environmental regulations such as the Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The consultancy's growth follows a significant team expansion over the past 18 months since its founding in 2018, attracting top conservation experts to support its mission to reverse the biodiversity crisis.
Since 2021, more than 200 brands have pledged to restore nature through The Fashion Pact.
In the EU, initiatives to make the fashion industry more sustainable are also gaining political momentum, with the Circular Economy Action Plan proposing new industry regulations targeting greenwashing, garment destruction, and deforestation.
In May this year, Biodiversify's principal consultant explained the importance of addressing biodiversity loss within Scope 3 initiatives given that almost half of all agricultural land is estimated to be required for raw material production. including the fashion sector.
