Peruvian youths are well informed regarding biodiversity

At a global level, youths are the ones that are most aware of the importance of biodiversity. In Peru, this trend is noteworthy, as 80 percent of the youths surveyed by the Barómetro de Biodiversidad (Biodiversity Barometer) correctly defined biodiversity. 

The 2016 edition of the Barómetro de Biodiversidad of the UEBT, which since 2009 annually evaluates knowledge of biodiversity and interest for ethical behavior in 16 countries of the region, was developed in collaboration with UNCTAD, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and CAF, Development Bank of Latin America. 

These data become more relevant when considering that Peru is a young country where 47 percent of the population is under 24 years old. In addition, the report highlights that 55 percent of the youths surveyed mentioned the school as the main source of consciousness raising. 

According to the UEBT, this trend is a result of factors such as: economic growth in Peru, which contributed to improve the income levels and education of those surveyed; the governmental effort to increase knowledge regarding diversity in society through an improvement in education; and the influence of the wealth of biodiversity that characterizes the country and which is reflected in its culture. 

These results are encouraging for the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB, for its acronym in Spanish), whose goal is to raise the awareness of the world population regarding biodiversity to 100 percent.  

Bonapas Onguglo, Director of the subdivision of Trade, Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development at UNCTAD, stated, "UNCTAD is pleased to have contributed in this edition of the Biodiversity Barometer of the UEBT in Peru, with the support of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO). Peru, a country with mega diversity, has defended the cause of conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use. This is evidenced by consumers who are well informed and who are promoting changes and leading innovative ideas for the conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use. With the support of CAF, Peru is one of the pioneers in the implementation of activities related to Biotrade." 

Trust

Another conclusion of the study is that companies at a global level need to work more to have consumers trust them regarding their participation in the care of biodiversity. 

In the case of Peru, only 37 percent of those surveyed believes that companies take it seriously when addressing biodiversity with an ethical behavior. In the other surveyed countries in Latin America for the 2016 edition, this indicator is at slightly higher levels: Brazil, 47 percent, and Ecuador, 40 percent.  

Another part of the report notes that the surveyed Peruvians may be convinced that a company respects biodiversity and people when they have a good brand reputation (87%), and when there are specific stories and images (83%).

In addition, 78 percent said that the seal on the products would ensure the veracity of this commitment, while references in the social networks and appearing in first place in internet searches represented 72 percent and 69 percent, respectively 

Eleonora Silva, CAF's Director Representative in Peru, stated, "the increasing awareness of consumers offers opportunities for mega diverse countries. For this reason, CAF's Direction of the Environment has started a program to promote native cacao, thus promoting unique flavors to reach consumers around the world, generating income for producers and helping the conservation of biodiversity ". 

Communication

According to the report, companies must take advantage of the consumers' interest for biodiversity and for their supply chain, to improve corporate communication and that of its products. 

This is the conclusion of the UEBT, as the study reveals that 92 percent of the Peruvians surveyed showed a great interest in buying products if they knew that the producing company paid attention to the ethical factor of biodiversity. 

In addition, the barometer shows that 96 percent of the Peruvians surveyed would like to be better informed about the origin of the natural ingredients used by companies, and also know if these companies have supply policies in place that respect biodiversity. 

The barometer also determined that of the 100 largest cosmetic and food companies in the world, only 38 cosmetic companies communicate about biodiversity, and only 33 talk about their productive chains. In the food sector, these numbers increase to 63 and 36, respectively, so there is a long road to travel. 

Cristiane de Moraes, UEBT Representative for Latin America, states, "Companies that have biodiversity as a source of innovation for their products and work their productive chains in line with ethics behaviors, must take advantage of the increasing interest shown by consumers to effectively communicate their activities related to biodiversity".  

About the Biodiversity Barometer 

Launched in 2009, the Biodiversity Barometer presents the results of eight years of research regarding the sensitization of consumers on the subject. Close to 54,000 people were surveyed in 16 countries (Feb 2016: France, Germany, United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, Peru; Feb 2015: Holland, Ecuador, Mexico; Feb 2014: Colombia, Vietnam; Feb 2013: China; Feb 2012: Switzerland, India; Oct 2011: South Korea; Sep 2010: Japan). Detailed methodology may be found at: www.uebt.org

The Barometer offers valuable information, both for governments to develop strategies to address the 2011-2020 United Nations Biodiversity Strategic Plan and its Aichi goals, as well as for companies to build their approach to their ethical behavior toward biodiversity. The Biodiversity Barometer is one of the global indicators recognized by the Convention on Biological Biodiversity. 

The 2016 study for Peru was carried out with internet users due to the fact that connection rates to the network in Peru grow 10 percent per year, and currently, 40 percent of the population is connected. 

The study was carried out by CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) under the Program to Facilitate Biotrade III, with the financial support of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) from Switzerland.  

More information may be found in the Biodiversity Barometer of the UEBT.