Making a Mind for Nature, Practicing for Future | Botanee Actively Implements ESG Initiatives

Making a Mind for Nature, Practicing for Future | Botanee Actively Implements ESG Initiatives

In the northwest of Yunnan, there are rosy clouds, towering peaks, and snow-capped mountains. The pristine, vibrant landscape exudes the vitality of wilderness. The sustainable development study tour themed on "Making a Mind for Nature" by Botanee Group came to a successful conclusion at the southern foot of Haba Snow Mountain.

Go out of the city and go into mountains

Haba Snow Mountain is located in the southeast of Shangri-La, nestled in the hinterlands of the "longitudinal range gorge region in Southwest China" and the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It faces Jade Dragon Snow Mountain across the Jinsha River.

The mountains and fields here extend endlessly, with the sky, breeze, clouds, mist, the sound of rain, and tree shadows enveloping your every breath. This vast area is one of the three endemic species differentiation centers in China, and one of the 17 key areas for biodiversity conservation in the country. It has also been listed as one of the 25 priority biodiversity hotspots in the world by the World Wide Fund for Nature. The main peak of Haba Snow Mountain is 5,396 meters above sea level, with an altitude difference of 3,846 meters between the peak and the valley. The significant altitude difference leads to the formation of a distinct vertical natural belt, and the unique natural landform nurtures rich biodiversity here. At an altitude of 3,200 meters, prinsepia utilis royle, a key raw material in Botanee's products, thrives here. The essence of skincare is crafted here, where technology and nature seamlessly converge. Prinsepia utilis royle oil with potent repair properties extracted here provides protection for every inch of sensitive skin.

In 2021, Botanee Group officially launched the "Biodiversity Conservation Project in Haba Snow Mountain, Northwest Yunnan", in which it has continuously invested a total of RMB 4 million over the past three years. In the matrix of 2023 major issues, biodiversity was identified by the group as a top priority for both itself and its stakeholders. Centering on the 23 global targets for biodiversity established in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the group has launched a biodiversity conservation initiative of "Fostering a Healthy Ecology for a Beautiful Future". On November 30 of the same year, the Prinsepia Utilis Royle Scientific Research and Planting Base, a scientific research base of Yunnan Yunke Characteristic Plant Extraction Laboratory under Botanee Group, was inaugurated in Haba Snow Mountain. This initiative aims to continue the sustainable protection and development of characteristic plant resources and preserve the beauty of biodiversity in Yunnan.

From May 21 to 23 this year, the Botanee Foundation, in collaboration with the Kunming Botanical Garden of Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, held a special science popularization activity, namely, a sustainable study tour themed on "Making a Mind for Nature", in Lijiang. During the activity, dozens of participants experienced a series of activities, including the Lijiang Dongba Culture Intangible Cultural Heritage Course and a hiking expedition to study plant diversity on Haba Snow Mountain. On this study tour bridging the city and the remote areas, Botanee provided guests with a detailed presentation of "what biodiversity conservation is".

Haba means "golden flower" in Naxi language. Nowadays, the majestic snow-capped mountain continues to weave its natural legend. As a steadfast guardian of biodiversity value, Botanee Group has actively collaborated with local communities. They have comprehensively assessed Haba's environmental carrying capacity and focused on initiatives such as capacity building in the reserve, community environmental education, and collaborative community governance. Botanee considers both biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods, and strives to balance economic development with ecological protection to protect the sustainable value of natural snow mountains.

Reaching the world together with ethnic communities

VThe charm and value of a city are found not only in its physical infrastructure but even more so in its spiritual culture. In the diverse and multi-ethnic region of Yunnan, Botanee, guided by its corporate vision of bringing health and beauty to everyone, has long been committed to building an industry benchmark. It takes the initiative to assume the social responsibility of a national brand, safeguarding Yunnan's local intangible cultural heritage and spreading the power of kindness and goodwill.

In May this year, Liu Shishi, the new spokesperson for the Winona brand under Botanee Group, became a trending topic on Weibo. Her series of Yi embroidery costume videos captivated the world, showcasing the beauty of oriental intangible cultural heritage. Additionally, Winona has teamed up with its Yi embroidery partner to introduce a unique gift box titled "Encountering Intangible Cultural Heritage and Seeing More Beauty". This gift box, inspired by Chuxiong Yi embroidery, a traditional intangible cultural heritage of Yunnan, artfully combines the warmth of hand-stitched embroidery with the healing power of love and conveys the intangible cultural value of millennia-old Yi embroidery in the Internet world.

It is worth noting that as the 34th National Day for Helping the Disabled approached, Botanee Group launched the "Guardian Alliance for Women's Care", a Winona women's care public welfare project. The event took place at Nanhua Qicai Yi Embroidery Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. that has been designated as a Beautiful Crafts Workshop in Nanhua County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture. During this activity, Botanee Group donated Winona products worth RMB 1.26 million to the Disabled Persons' Federation of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture through the Botanee Foundation and invited dermatologists to provide one-to-one free skin consultations for female embroiderers. Relevant leaders of the Disabled Persons' Federation of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture and the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture Commission of the Communist Youth League of China, as well as 118 female embroiderers including 108 disabled ones from Nanhua Qicai Yi Embroidery Cultural Communication Co., Ltd., participated in this activity.

The ultimate goal of charity represents the starting point of hope. Botanee Group has been practicing its social responsibility as a national enterprise, guided by the value of gratitude and kindness. From the "Winona Bright Smiles Commonweal Project" to the "5.25 National Skin Care Day", from the "Botanee Hope High School Class" to the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Protection", these long-term public welfare initiatives exemplify Botanee Group's extensive implementation of Project Hope. These efforts are aimed at giving back to society by addressing the real public welfare needs of Yunnan. According to data, from 2021 to April 2024, Botanee Group invested more than RMB 58.64 million of public welfare funds through the "Botanee Foundation", "Red Cross Society-Winona Public Welfare Fund", and other non-profit social organizations. These funds have supported various initiatives, including biodiversity conservation, rural revitalization, inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, assistance for students and the underprivileged, disaster relief, and medical aid for skin cancer patients.

Art and science, past and present, nature and technology—these seemingly conflicting but not contradictory concepts—have become a reality within the Botanee Group. During ongoing cross-border exchanges and integration, Botanee has engaged in public welfare activities aimed at preserving traditions for a better future. By partnering with ethnic communities, Botanee has showcased the unique charm of Yunnan's ethnic culture to the world, inspiring boundless imaginative possibilities for people worldwide.

Practicing sustainable development through green operations

In March this year, Winona, a brand of Botanee, announced that it had completed the 2.0 upgrade from focusing on sensitive skin to specializing in sensitive skin. This marks that Winona will, by utilizing the plants in Yunnan, officially open a new era of sensitive skin health for free beauty as a representative brand co-created via the industry-university-research-hospital integration model in China.

Before encountering the sensitive skin health for free beauty, it's worth visiting the place of production of relevant products to appreciate the beauty behind their creation.

Covering an area of 80 mu, with an investment of nearly RMB 500 million and an annual output value of RMB 5 billion, the Central Factory of Botanee Group integrates dermatology, botany, and the production of pharmaceutical preparations, cosmetics, and medical devices. This factory serves as the cornerstone for Botanee Group's commitment to sustainable and high-quality development. The new base of the state-of-the-art factory employs low-carbon environmentally friendly materials, is equipped with solar photovoltaic equipment, and operates in compliance with green factory standards and procedures. The new base was officially put into operation in 2023, further securing the green performance of products.
Green and low-carbon development form the foundation of this modern factory.

The new central factory consists of multiple units, including plant extraction, preparation, filling, packaging, and warehousing. Various processed are meticulously coordinated, converting operations into precise digital information. The remarkable "Chinese Elements" are meticulously crafted here, with every link traceable. The construction of the new central factory not only aims to achieve higher production efficiency and cost optimization, but also signifies Botanee Group's active commitment to long-term environmental responsibility, showcasing its forward thinking in terms of sustainable development.

In the future, Botanee Group will remain committed to long-termism. Driven by the corporate vision of bringing health and beauty to everyone, the group will continue to embrace its social responsibility, spread the power of kindness and goodwill, and demonstrate the value beyond mere business interests and its dedication to long-termism through a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach, consistently contributing to the sustainable and high-quality development of society.