Collaboration is vital

The action-oriented event concluded with several follow-up actions, and the results from the interactive session were presented for wider group discussion to determine the next steps and key contact people for specific sectors and ingredients. These next steps came under four main themes:

• Research and partnerships – how researchers, NGOs and the industry can work collaboratively to elevate sustainable wild-harvested ingredients. This can include awareness raising for customers and producers to emphasise the biodiversity and livelihood impacts of wild harvesting and the creation of working groups made up of relevant government, business and CSO sectors to fill in knowledge and data gaps on volumes and values of wild plant ingredients in trade.
   
• Traceability, transparency and risk – linking to collaborative partnerships, this looks at if and how certification bodies can aid transparency for businesses operating near the consumer end of the value chain and identify cooperations that can provide insights into tools such as digital payment and tracking systems, to improve traceability and make better connections to the source communities.
   
• Standards and certification harmonisation - certification bodies at the event discussed having a follow-on meeting to explore pre-competitive collaboration opportunities, in which they can share expert knowledge, create vital resources and work together towards a joint mission of increasing the sustainability of wild-harvested ingredients.
   
• Communications - identify the factors driving change from industry leadership (e.g. climate change, disclosure policies, shareholder views) and present a compelling case for action to both businesses and investors, especially via success stories in wild harvesting that emphasise opportunities for responsible sourcing to make the business case for sustainability. Furthermore, to shift consumer demand that unintentionally drives potentially unsustainable trade and improve communication about what individual consumers can do on the ground and the benefits of action.

To show unity and commitment to responsible sourcing of wild-harvested ingredients, the attendees were encouraged to sign the We Use Wild Pledge.

The Pledge is a voluntary, self-led initiative to increase awareness and responsible sourcing of wild-harvested plant ingredients and provides an action framework. While the Wild Dozen ingredients offer a starting point, thousands of other plant species used in the medicinal, foods and cosmetics industries need examining.