Firmenich Invigorates Commitment to Combat Climate Change

25 Nov 2016 --- At the beginning of the year Firmenich, the largest privately-owned company in the flavor and fragrance business, announced its commitment to The Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming, a model that tackles environmental degradation, poverty and development, while taking action to prevent climate change. Now, as the end of 2016 approaches, Firmenich reaffirms its part alongside government, in preserving the planet, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22), where it talked about putting the Paris Agreement into action.

“Firmenich is very serious about turning the ambitions of the Paris Agreement into real actions that benefit our customers, their consumers and the planet,” says Gilbert Ghostine, CEO Firmenich. “That’s why we are investing in industry-leading environmental goals, such as powering 100 percent of our plants with renewable energy by 2020. We are well on our way to achieving these pioneering objectives.” 

Advancing the Group’s environmental ambitions, Firmenich recently inaugurated its new perfumery plant in Geneva which it describes as one of the most technologically-advanced and sustainable in the industry. The plant is powered by hydroelectric generated energy and has cut its energy consumption 20 percent. 

Firmenich is also encouraging its suppliers to be open by working with CDP, a not-for-profit that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. 

“Combating climate change is a key priority for Firmenich. We are the first fragrance and flavor house to join CDP’s Supply Chain Program as a full member,” explained David Shipman president Firmenich North America and head of Global Sustainability. “To take our performance to the next level, we are also mobilizing our key suppliers to disclose their climate and water performance data through CDP’s reporting platform.”

At COP22, Firmenich discussed how to drive sustainable agriculture across Africa, through innovative public-private partnerships. “When it comes to sustainable agriculture, we have to work with all stakeholders to address social, economic and environmental issues at the same time,” says Bernard Giraud, president & co-founder, Livelihoods Funds. “This is why we build performance-driven coalitions with public institutions, NGOs, experts and rural communities to co-create and implement impactful solutions that create value for all parties.” 

One example of an African project on the Livelihoods website is in Mount Elgon, Kenya where deforestation, agricultural practices, uncontrollable grazing and soil erosion have a direct impact on local biodiversity and soil fertility. They also threaten the ecosystem of Lake Victoria as huge quantities of sediments are carried by rivers downstream. 

The project involves 30,000 farmers and aims at restoring 20,000 hectares through agroforestry. An innovation partnership has been signed with Brookside, a local milk company in which Danone owns a stake, for the sale of milk produced by the farmers over 10 years. 
 
“We believe in win-win partnerships to drive change in naturals,” says Dominique Roques, head of naturals purchasing, Firmenich. “Our ‘Naturals Together’ community is based on new business models, shared innovation and responsible sourcing. Also, by engaging our customers with our partners in the field, we are driving change, supporting farming communities and setting the path for the future.” 

Firmenich currently sources natural ingredients in more than 10 countries in Africa, including jasmine in Egypt, ylang ylang in the Comoros, orange flower in Morocco and vanilla in Madagascar and Uganda. The Group’s efforts in Africa alone have positively impacted the livelihoods of 15,000 farming families. To further scale-up its impact, Firmenich joins forces with like-minded visionary partners, of which, the Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming is one example.

Additionally, Firmenich takes an active part in the governance of Livelihoods 3F participating on its Board and on its Investment Committee. Launched at the end of 2015 with founding investors Danone, Firmenich, Mars and Veolia, Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F) aims to help companies sustainably source the materials they need from smallholder farmers, while improving their productivity, incomes, and living conditions. 

Firmenich’s presence at COP22, builds on its participation at last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), where it announced its 2020 industry-leading environmental goals and vision to become carbon neutral.