Strengthening Due Diligence in Nature-Based Solutions: Lush’s Strategic Collaboration with Renoster

As corporate sustainability expectations grow, businesses like Lush Cosmetics are advancing their commitment to environmental stewardship by integrating rigorous evaluations into their sustainability strategies. Lush’s partnership with Renoster exemplifies how thorough scientific assessments can enhance transparency and effectiveness in carbon validation.

Focused Due Diligence Through Expert Evaluation

In the past decade, Lush has secured rights to conduct operations in two Peruvian forest concessions in Madre de Dios and Ucayali. These rights have empowered Lush to collaborate with local communities in safeguarding the forests and their rich biodiversity.

Lush’s global operations demand precise and reliable carbon impact assessments. To meet these needs, Lush engaged Renoster to conduct a comprehensive scientific review of its forest concessions in Peru. This collaboration highlights Lush’s dedication to detailed and transparent carbon management.

Addressing Key Challenges

• Accurate Carbon Stock Measurement: Lush needed detailed and scientific evaluations of carbon stocks to ensure effective carbon management and accurate reporting.

• Evaluating Conservation Impact: Assessing the real impact of conservation efforts on carbon sequestration and ecological health was crucial for strategic decision-making and communication.

Renoster’s Contributions

• Scientific Assessments: Renoster provided detailed evaluations of carbon stocks in Lush’s concessions using remote sensing data, offering precise estimates of carbon sequestration and emissions reductions.

• Impact Analysis: Renoster assessed the ecological benefits of the conservation projects, examining their effectiveness in reducing deforestation and supporting biodiversity.

• Due Diligence Support: These evaluations were integral to Lush’s due diligence process, ensuring that the conservation efforts align with high environmental standards and corporate goals.

Key Findings and Benefits

• Carbon Sequestration: Lush’s concessions in Madre de Dios and Ucayali have significant carbon storage, with estimated stocks of approximately 1,553,228 tonnes of CO2e in Madre de Dios and 3,762,964 tonnes CO2e in Ucayali. By preventing deforestation, the concessions are estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,926 tonnes of CO2e per year in Madre de Dios and 4,909 tonnes of CO2e per year in Ucayali.

• Ecological Impact:The Madre de Dios and Ucayali concessions play a crucial role in preserving diverse wildlife and plant species while combating illegal mining and logging. Madre de Dios, a biodiversity hotspot, is home to endangered species like giant armadillos and pumas, and is surrounded by protected areas. The Ucayali concession supports 257 animal and 155 plant species, including the Peruvian spider monkey, and is actively monitored by park rangers. Neotropical Primate Conservation’s research has enhanced conservation efforts and revealed a notably higher density of monkeys in the Ucayali concession compared to surrounding regions.

• Strategic Insights: The scientific evaluations provide Lush with actionable data, enhancing its sustainability strategies and ensuring that conservation projects achieve their intended outcomes.

Conclusion

Lush’s engagement with Renoster represents a strong approach to due diligence in carbon assessment. By incorporating thorough scientific evaluations, Lush ensures that its conservation projects are effective, transparent, and aligned with its sustainability objectives. This case sets a high standard for integrating detailed assessments into corporate sustainability efforts, promoting accountability and environmental responsibility.

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