Beyond scents: calling on the fragrance industry to champion plant diversity.

Authors

Luiza F A de Paula, Rhian J Smith, Vanessa Handley, Tiago P Gomes, Raphael Ocelli Pinheiro, Alexandre Antonelli, Peggy L Fiedler

Published in

Bioscience. Volume 76. Issue 6. Pages 513-524. Epub Mar 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.

PMID:
42344938
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 25 Jun 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.