The Union for Ethical BioTrade organized through seven countries a survey, a study focusing on important questions such as how many people can correctly define biodiversity and how consumers view companies who are sourcing from it.

Frane, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America, Brazil, South Korea and Japan took part to the study.

According to the Survey, South Korea is well-informed about biodiversity and is keen to know more about how companies are sourcing their natural ingrédients.

The Survey, performed in August, shows that 73% of those who took part had heard about the term « biodiversity » and 47% could correctly define it. In France and Brazil, where the Survey was performed earlier this year, the amount of people who say they have heard of biodiversity is higher but fewer people can define it correctly.

UEBT’s Biodiversity Barometer also undeline the fact that television programs and documentaries is one of the biggest sources of awareness. However, the role of websites and blogs is also particularly important in South Korea, much more so than other countries involved in the Survey.

Ethical consumerism is also big in South Korea, with 89% of consumers saying they pay attention to environmental and ethical labels when buying cosmetics products. As with many of their counterparts in France, Germany, the UK, the US and Brazil, South Koreans would like companies to be more transparent with their sourcing practises. 85% would like to be better informed about how companies are sourcing natural ingrédients and 83% would stop buying products if they know the brand did not respect the environment or implement ethical trading practises.

The Biodiersity Barometer in South Korea was undertaken with the support of Amorepacific Corporation. « The results from UEBT’s Biodiversity Barometer are important to a company like Amorepacific as they illustrate the importance of biodiversity for South Korean consumers, » said Paul Kang, Team Manager, R&D Centre, at Amorepacifc Corporation.

The Union for Ethical Biotrade is a non-profit association that promotes the “Sourcing with Respect” of ingredients that come from native biodiversity. Members commit to gradually ensuring that their sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge and assure the equitable sharing of benefits all along the supply chain.