TRAFFIC launches framework to protect wild ingredient supply chains
The journey of nature’s most valuable ingredients often begins in the wild, yet the supply chains that bring these raw materials to market are frequently fraught with complexity and risk. To address this critical imbalance, a powerful new framework has been launched, designed to stitch together sustainability, equity, and biodiversity protection across the globe.
Conservation consultancy Biodiversify and TRAFFIC have teamed up to introduce the Wild Harvest Improvement Project (WHIP) Framework. This initiative provides a tangible, step-by-step pathway for businesses and local communities to transform the sustainability of wild-harvested plant ingredient supply chains.
The WHIP Framework is not just theory; it is a practical mechanism built on collaboration. Developed in partnership with the Global Diversity Foundation, MBLA, and FairWild, and supported by the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative, the framework aims to bring together harvesters, businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations to tackle complex issues like biodiversity loss, fair working conditions, and equitable trade.
To prove its effectiveness, the framework has already seen successful pilots. These trials involved tracing and improving the sustainability of specific ingredients, including argan kernels in Morocco and liquorice roots in Uzbekistan. These examples demonstrate the framework’s potential to create real-world, measurable improvements.
Recognizing the growing pressure on industries sourcing wild ingredients—particularly cosmetics and personal care companies seeking materials like argan, frankincense, and liquorice—the WHIP project offers a vital solution. It provides a practical route for these businesses to enhance traceability, protect delicate biodiversity, and secure long-term supply stability.
Furthermore, TRAFFIC is actively empowering the industry by encouraging companies to utilize its WildCheck platform. This innovative tool helps organizations identify the specific biodiversity risks associated with wild-harvested ingredients throughout their supply chains, ensuring transparency from the source to the consumer.
By focusing on these foundational elements—traceability, working conditions, and ecological health—the Wild Harvest Improvement Project is positioning the industry to meet ambitious global 2030 targets for biodiversity protection. It transforms the challenge of wild harvesting into an opportunity for sustainable, equitable, and thriving ecosystems.
Credit
