Biotrade
Biotrade relates to the production and trade of products and ingredients from local ecosystems. When it follows strict conditions of ethics and sustainability, it is an important tool to reconciliate economy and biodiversity.
More on the challenges of biodiversity here.
Context
Biodiversity produces extremely diverse and valuable resources for human beings: food, health, energy, beauty, pleasure. These resources are often fragile. When managed with respect for ecosystems, work and traditional knowledge, they are levers for human well-being, protect biodiversity and the well-being of local rural people.
Tea, cocoa, coffee, aromatic and medicinal plants, spices and cosmetic ingredients are fragile resources appreciated by everybody.
Our approach
- a classical market approach (market research, monitoring and quality control, business plans, etc.);
- the principles of fair trade (fair and equitable payments, préparation to certification when desireable);
- compliance studies, specifically on the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization;
- the principles of an ecological economy (ecosystem review, accounting for externalities)
This approach allows to express the full potential of local know-how and ecosystems and agrosystems, creating value chains and brands of excellence, valued at their fair prices on national and international markets.
Our services
- Development of natural products: market study, quality control, business plans, capacity building.
- Ethics and sustainability: social responsibility, fair trade, organic agriculture, access and benefit sharing, certification.
- Legal advice: Convention on Biological Diversity and Nagoya protocol, regulation of imports in the European Union.
Our experience
- Ten years of expérience as a Fair Trade project manager for producers organizations and as a facilitator of an international community of practice on Fair Trade. Associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization.
- Twelve years of experience as a consultant for international cooperation agencies (UNDP, UNIDO, GIZ…) and for companies(cosmetics, ethical funds, etc.) in Latin America, Africa and South-East Asia.
- Expert of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization, 10 studies conducted.
- Specialist in ecological economics, expert on access and benefit sharing of biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
- By sector: coffee (Latin America, East Africa), cocoa (Madagascar, West Africa), tea (China and Vietnam), cosmetic ingredients (Latin America, Africa), handicrafts and textiles (global).
Pierre worked as an expert for GIZ Nepal to support the herbal companies from Nepal to have business meetings with relevant importing companies of Europe. He was very dedicated and proactive in his approach which was well appreciated by the Nepali delegation. I wish him all the best for his future endeavors.
Support to biotrade from Africa
Biotrade Is your organization (company, research center, foundation, NGOs) developing new ingredients or new applications of ingredients deriving from the biodiversity in Africa or other continents? Did you know that, since October 2014*, you have legal obligations...
Comoros: developing export and food value chains
In June 2019, the French Development Agency entrusted us through Tero an assignment, for the Union of the Comoros: a feasibility study of a 4 year project for the development of cash (ylang ylang essential oil, vanilla and clove, mainly) and vegetable value chains on...
Ylang ylang from the Comoros: Saving distillation fuel wood
In March 2019, a team led by Pierre JOHNSON, international consultant, with Wassilati MBAE, as expert of the Comoros ylang ylang value chain, conducted the evaluation of the 2nd phase of the FY-DAFE programme (2016-2019) of the NGO Initiative Développement, with funding by the French Development Agency, and the French Facility for Global Environment and other sponsors. This evaluation concluded on the relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of the project in its main objectives, and made recommendations for the third and final phase of the programme (2019-2021).
Building sustainable livelihoods in West Kalimantan
The program on “management of natural resources based on indigenous peoples’ local knowledge” in West Kalimantan had multiple facets: reclaiming customary rights on land and forest, conducting activities of adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, economic empowerment through the establishment of local credit union service points, and support to food security and income generating activities. It was globally successful, but new challenges appear for the communities involved.
Comoros: developing export and food value chains
In June 2019, the French Development Agency entrusted us through Tero an assignment, for the Union of the Comoros: a feasibility study of a 4 year project for the development of cash (ylang ylang essential oil, vanilla and clove, mainly) and vegetable value chains on...
Ylang ylang from the Comoros: Saving distillation fuel wood
In March 2019, a team led by Pierre JOHNSON, international consultant, with Wassilati MBAE, as expert of the Comoros ylang ylang value chain, conducted the evaluation of the 2nd phase of the FY-DAFE programme (2016-2019) of the NGO Initiative Développement, with funding by the French Development Agency, and the French Facility for Global Environment and other sponsors. This evaluation concluded on the relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of the project in its main objectives, and made recommendations for the third and final phase of the programme (2019-2021).
Pierre W. Johnson
International consultant, study and sustainable development of natural products value chains. Specialist of markets of origin, quality and high value products. Expert on Access and Benefit Sharing.
Keynote speaker on transition to an ecological economy & society.
Member of the
International Value Links Association.
Associate expert to Tero.
