On 5 June 2020, the Equator Initiative partnership, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), announced the winners of the Equator Prize 2020 for best sustainable development initiatives.
More than 600 nominated projects from 120 countries were analysed, and “Mujeres y Ambiente SPR de RL de CV” was chosen as one of the 10 winners for being, according to the Technical Advisory Committee, “an outstanding example of a local, nature-based solution to climate change and sustainable development.”
The Women and Environment association is a women-led initiative in the state of Querétaro in Mexico, with the support of the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ), the Regional Centre for Watershed Training and Provital, to develop cosmetic products made from local plants in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol, which promotes fair trade and sustainable development.
The project showed an outstanding example of a local, nature-based solution to climate change and sustainable development
The Women and Environment association promotes agricultural micro-businesses and is committed to the conservation of biodiversity and the recovery and regulation of crops and nurseries. These initiatives empower women to create jobs and improve life in their communities based on a traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs. In addition to a commitment to social responsibility, these initiatives have become an essential part of the supply chain for the cosmetics industry and serve as an example of environmental conservation based on the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Women and Environment association will receive 10,000 USD and the prize winners will be celebrated at various events that will take place in September during Climate Week in New York, in parallel with the UN General Assembly and Nature Summit.
Provital, a manufacturer of natural active ingredients for the cosmetics industry, started 40 years ago with a single aim: to care. Care for the environment, care for nature and for the well-being of people. Since 2013, remaining true to its aim, it has worked with communities in Mexico to promote the sustainable cultivation of plants with medicinal properties. The prize received by the “Women and Environment” project, supported by Provital, highlights its most intrinsic values and is a further example of the alignment of these values with those of society in terms of promoting equity, justice, social responsibility and sustainable development. Because, as Provital stated in its manifesto, “taking care is the force that moves us forward, and taking care is taking action.” As we have demonstrated once again, Provital do care.
