A Story of Our Commitments to Nature

From the very beginning, it’s been crucial for L’OCCITANE Group to protect the very nature we learn from: the secrets of plants, their incredible properties and the power of their active ingredients.  

We’re dedicated to defending and promoting the unique biodiversity of our lands, whether cultivated or wild. We started this approach in Provence, where our brand was born, but have since extended our focus to the entire Mediterranean basin – and now even as far as Burkino Faso (and beyond!). A study into our iconic ingredients found that 76% of their production and harvesting sites are located in areas facing major conservation issues. As a result of this research, we’ve committed to improve the traceability of our ingredients, to limit the impact of their cultivation on the environment and, where possible, contribute in a positive way to nature.  With a constant presence on the ground, we have extensive knowledge of our raw materials and strong relationships with our producers – guaranteeing trust and traceability, all the way to our final product. This is what makes progress possible.    

Here’s how we’re working with producers to protect our hero ingredients and the natural world that supports their growth:  

Immortelle

We collaborate with plant producers to grow Corsica’s ‘Golden Sun’, and thanks to the technical advice of agricultural organisations, we can proudly state that 100% of our immortelle crops are certified organic.   By proving this was possible, we’ve shown producers in the region that it can be done – and we continue to help them find and implement ever greener techniques.  

Lavender

Lavender was already struggling with climate change, but it now faces attacks from insects like the leafhopper, which carry bacteria that inhibit growth and can kill the plant.  Since 2012, we’ve supported Provence’s Lavender Endowment Fund, sponsoring its ‘Green & Lavandes’ program. The fund supports research and development programs and aims to find the best and most ecological solutions.  

Almond

Until the beginning of the last century, the almond tree was an emblem of the Provençal landscape. But little by little, almond cultivation was abandoned to make way for more profitable crops, and by the 1950s/60s, the tree had all but disappeared from the region.   We strive to promote sustainable almond tree cultivation in Provence through our contribution to France Amande, an organisation that brings together all the key players in the supply chain – from sourcing to production and manufacturing.  

Shea Butter

It’s one of our most iconic ingredients, and we source tons and tons of organic and fairtrade shea butter direct from five cooperatives in Burkina Faso and Ghana.   Since 2009, the shea butter produced by this women-led, artisanal sector has been labelled 100% fair trade by Fair For Life, laying the foundations of our sustainable model.   We’re helping to establish sustainable production to safeguard vital traditional knowledge that has been passed down over generations. And, at the same time, we’re improving working conditions and minimising environmental impacts.  

As a Group, our most pressing priority is to stop biodiversity loss in its tracks, but our main objective has to be regenerating nature. To this end, we understand that we must put in place nature-based solutions like these that benefit biodiversity, the climate and human development.Ultimately, we believe that nature’s heritage is our shared wealth – and that our investment in regenerative agriculture will help us to protect it for us all.