PARIS — LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton said it has joined the board of directors of France’s Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité, or Foundation for Research on Biodiversity.
Described as a scientific cooperation, the foundation aims to “promote national, European and international research on biodiversity,” according to the French luxury group, parent of brands including Fendi, Givenchy, Bulgari and Dom Pérignon.
LVMH had commissioned the foundation to conduct a review of sustainable development initiatives implemented by LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics Research, yielding recommendations applicable to the cosmetics sector that the foundation shared on its Web Site.
As a member of the board, LVMH plans to “contribute to the strengthening of scientific research on biodiversity, which represents a major environmental issue.”
LVMH committed to the National Strategy for Biodiversity – the French equivalent of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan – and been recognized for several projects to improve its footprint.
For example, Guerlain partnered with a local supplier in southern India to develop sustainable farming for vetiver, a key ingredient in its fragrances. And Vuitton selects wood for its boutiques and packaging only from forests that are certified sustainably managed.
“It is nature that provides the raw materials for winemaking, for the creation of fragrances, cosmetics and leather goods,” said Sylvie Bénard, LVMH’s environment director. “These activities benefit from the continuous search for excellence which respects the relevant ecosystems.”