During a virtual press conference held on June 15, Natura executives shared the company’s latest worldwide commitments and engagements for the years to come.
It addressed the climate crisis and goals to protect the Amazon; new legal frameworks within enterprises; how Natura &Co is committing to measurable improvements in economic and social indicators (education, health & digital inclusion) via human rights; and how it will embrace circularity and regeneration via sustainable packaging and natural ingredients.
Roberto Marques, executive chairman of the board and group CEO, Natura &Co, welcomed guests on the Zoom call. “Today is a special day. As a purpose driven group, we strongly believe that business should be a source for good. Even though the current challenges are severe, together we can find solutions to make more of a positive impact. We will dare to innovate to promote positive economic, social and environmental impact and become the best beauty company for the world.”
Silvia Lagnado, sustainable growth officer, Natura &Co, outlined Natura’s “Sustainability Vision 2030, A Commitment to Life.” According to Lagnado, net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are paramount.
Also, protecting the Amazon is a goal with the addition of 55 bio-ingredients to products and fostering collective efforts toward zero deforestation by 2025. Lagnado added that the company will help create science-based targets for biodiversity via a network of partnerships by 2023. This includes The Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT), Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and Business for Nature Coalition (WEF).
To become “human kind” and to defend human rights, Natura & Co. aims to promote gender balance by raising its percentage of women on the board/senior team from 35% to 50% by 2023; installing equitable pay, closing the gender gap by 2023 and working toward 30% inclusion, in management, of under-represented groups: racial or ethnic, sexual diversity and gender identity (LGBTI), socio economically disadvantaged, physical or mental disability and more. It also wishes to “widen the network” by increasing investments in key causes by 20% to $600 million by way of communities, breast cancer awareness, domestic violence and education.
Natura & Co also aims to install full traceability and/or certification for critical supply chains by 2024: palm oil (RSPO), mica (RMI), paper (FSC), alcohol (organic), soy (NGMO + Roundtable) and cotton (organic).
Finally, to embrace circularity and regeneration, Nature & Co. plans reduce packaging material weight by 20%, with 50% of all plastic used to be of recycled content (in weight) and 100% of all packaging material to be reusable, recyclable or compostable. For formula circularity, 95% are renewable or natural ingredients, 95% biodegradable formula and 100% of new formulas will have a lower environmental footprint measured by life cycle analysis (LCA).
The company also plans to invest in regenerative agriculture in deforested areas to reduce use of chemicals and create an alternative to monocultures along with the creation of revenue streams (by way of new ingredients) that are more economically attractive than deforestation.
Overall, according to Lagnado, Natura & Co. will work with others to “ensure systematic change.”
For more on Natura, check out its profile in Happi’s next International Top 30 Report, due out in August.
