Strengthening biodiversity in textile standards: New guideline with focus on plant fibers
Bonn/Radolfzell, 10.02.2026: The textile and clothing industry interacts with biodiversity in a special way – both through its dependence on natural resources and through its impact along global supply chains. A new publication from the “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi” project focusing on plant fibers – the “Easy Guide: Biodiversity criteria in standards for the textile and clothing industry” – shows how voluntary standards can help to protect biodiversity more effectively.
The publication was produced by the Global Nature Fund and the Lake Constance Foundation. For the first time, it systematically analyzes how biodiversity has so far been taken into account in relevant textile standards and certifications and identifies concrete starting points for how existing systems can be further developed and made more effective.
Biodiversity criteria in textile standards: status quo and fields of action
The textile and fashion industry is one of the world’s major drivers of biodiversity loss. At the same time, it is highly dependent on intact ecosystems and natural resources. There are considerable biodiversity risks in raw material production in particular, especially in the cultivation of cotton, for example due to intensive land use, high water and chemical use and the location of many cultivation areas in biodiversity hotspots.
Many companies therefore rely on voluntary sustainability standards to implement environmental and due diligence obligations along their supply chains. The guide examines nine common textile certifications for their relevance to biodiversity and shows which criteria will help to anchor biodiversity more strategically, uniformly and effectively in the future.
Focus on plant fibers: Cotton as a key lever
The “Easy Guide: Biodiversity criteria in textile and clothing industry standards” focuses on plant fibers, especially cotton. They are the world’s second most important textile fiber after synthetic fibers and at the same time one of the most effective starting points for companies to actively protect biodiversity along their supply chains.
Based on the analysis and numerous expert discussions and round tables with standard organizations and companies, the publication provides practical recommendations for standard setters, certified companies and production facilities.
Specific recommendations for more effective standards
The key recommendations include
- clearly defined biodiversity targets that are reviewed,
- the consistent application of the avoidance hierarchy,
- the introduction of biodiversity management plans,
- improved training and support services and
- greater financial support for producers in the implementation of local measures.
The aim is to further develop existing standards in a targeted manner and increase their actual impact on biodiversity.
Orientation under evolving reporting obligations
Against the backdrop of new and evolving due diligence, for example in the context of supply chain due diligence obligations or the CSRD and the ESRS E4 reporting standard, this guide provides technical orientation and supports the systematic and credible integration of biodiversity into procurement and sustainability processes.
The Easy Guide is a practice-oriented guide. It bundles existing approaches, takes them further and makes them connectable – for a textile industry that not only takes biodiversity into account, but actively protects it.
The publication is primarily aimed at standard organizations, but also at brands, retailers, auditors and production companies, and offers them a technically sound orientation for the further development of existing systems.
The “Easy Guide: Biodiversity criteria in textile and clothing industry standards – with a focus on plant fibers” can be downloaded free of charge at the following link: https://www.unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Easy-Guide-Biodiversitaetskriterien-Textilstandards-und-zertifizierungen-2025.pdf
About “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi”
The aim of the “Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi” project is to support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) and to activate companies for the topic of biodiversity. The project is funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).
The UBi project is being carried out by five project partners: Biodiversity in Good Company, Bodensee-Stiftung, DIHK Service GmbH, Global Nature Fund and Collaborating Center on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP).
Information on the Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi project is available online at unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de.
Press contact Unternehmen Biologische Vielfalt – UBi
Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production gGmbH (CSCP)
Katrin Hüttepohl, Communication Manager
Phone: +49 202 459 58 – 17
E-mail: info@unternehmen-biologische-vielfalt.de
About the Lake Constance Foundation
The Lake Constance Foundation is a private environmental and nature conservation organization that works on a project-oriented basis for greater sustainability and nature conservation – regionally, nationally and internationally. It is active in the four fields of action of energy transition, agriculture & food, nature & water protection and business & biodiversity and works closely with stakeholders from business, specialist administrations, local authorities, politics and other interest groups. The Lake Constance Foundation was founded in 1994 and is based in Radolfzell on Lake Constance. www.bodensee-stiftung.org
Press contact Bodensee-Stiftung
Anja Wischer, Communications and Public Relations
Phone: +49 7732 9995 447
E-mail: anja.wischer@bodensee-stiftung.org
