At the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) held in Yerevan, Armenia, Chinese cosmetics enterprise Botanee Group presented a comprehensive sustainable development model. Rooted in the biodiverse landscapes of Yunnan, China, the group's “research-conservation-industrialization” framework offers a practical case study for global mountain bioeconomy governance.

During the event on October 26, 2026, Botanee co-organized a mountain bioeconomy-themed side event and, alongside international partners, launched the Yerevan Declaration on Inclusive Mountain Bioeconomy. This declaration outlines a collaborative path forward for ecological preservation and community-driven economic growth.

The Yerevan Declaration: A Blueprint for Inclusive Mountain Bioeconomy

The Yerevan Declaration on Inclusive Mountain Bioeconomy represents a significant step toward aligning corporate interests with global biodiversity goals. The declaration is centered on several core pillars:

  • Conserving biodiversity across fragile mountain ecosystems
  • Supporting sustainable community development
  • Ensuring fair and equitable benefit-sharing among stakeholders
  • Creating viable economic opportunities for future generations

By emphasizing the integration of traditional knowledge, scientific research, and responsible innovation, the declaration advocates for advancing ecological conservation and livelihood improvement. Crucially, it highlights the necessity of respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, ensuring they remain central beneficiaries of local bioeconomic activities.

The 'Research-Conservation-Industrialization' Ecosystem

In her keynote address at the COP17 side event, Zhong Wei, director of public communications at Botanee Group, systematically outlined the underlying logic of the enterprise's sustainability approach. Zhong Wei noted that as an enterprise deeply rooted in biodiversity, Botanee recognizes that safeguarding nature means protecting the foundation of its business. To operationalize this philosophy, the group has built a three-in-one sustainable beauty ecosystem.

Scientific Research: Translating Traditional Knowledge

The foundation of Botanee's product development lies in its scientific research track. Over a span of 12 years of joint industry-university-research collaboration, the enterprise has systematically explored the rich botanical resources of Yunnan.

  • The group has screened more than 2,000 plant resources.
  • Through rigorous scientific evaluation, it has identified 266 skincare-active species.
  • This research has successfully translated the traditional uses of native Yunnan plants into standardized, traceable industrial strengths, bridging the gap between ancient botanical knowledge and modern dermatological science.

Ecological Conservation: Protecting Haba Snow Mountain

Conservation efforts are critical to ensuring that industrial sourcing does not deplete natural resources. Botanee has established a dedicated research and cultivation base at Haba Snow Mountain in Shangri-La.

  • The base focuses on the artificial propagation and wild reintroduction of rare plateau species.
  • To date, the initiative has successfully supported over 20 rare plateau species, helping to preserve the genetic diversity of high-altitude flora and restore degraded mountain habitats.

Sustainable Industrialization: The 'Enterprise + Base + Farming Household' Model

To bridge conservation with economic viability, Botanee utilizes an “enterprise + base + farming household” model. This structure directly integrates local agricultural communities into the global cosmetics supply chain.

  • The model enables farmers and herders in northwest Yunnan to earn stable incomes locally, reducing the economic pressure that often leads to unsustainable land-use practices.
  • In 2024, this characteristic plant industrial chain generated over 10 billion yuan in additional output value.
  • Local suppliers accounted for 53.8 percent of raw material sources, demonstrating a high level of localized economic integration.

This model's success has led to its inclusion as a case study in the Global Mountain Bioeconomy Framework, which serves as an action guide for global sustainable mountain development.

Global Implications and Future Outlook

The presentation of Botanee's model at COP17 highlights a growing trend of private sector engagement in global biodiversity governance. By demonstrating that ecological conservation can coexist with substantial industrial output, the model offers a scalable template for other mountain regions worldwide.

Botanee has stated its intention to continue advancing the implementation of the mountain bioeconomy declaration across global mountain regions. By refining its “research-conservation-industrialization” model, the enterprise aims to contribute actively to global biodiversity governance and foster inclusive, sustainable growth.