PARIS — Pangaia’s latest collaboration is sure to generate buzz at the upcoming COP28 in Dubai.
Upon landing, delegates will be greeted by bees on big screens, floors and in storefronts throughout the airport. Inside the exhibition center’s public green zone, Pangaia will present an interactive artwork titled “Swarm” from Leonie Bradley featuring origami bees.
It’s all part of innovative fashion brand and materials science company Pangaia’s launch of a new nonprofit coalition called Trillion Bees, which will raise funds for programs that support pollinators.
Trillion Bees will operate independently from Pangaia with a target to raise $1 billion over the next seven years for the Bee the Change Fund, which grants money to field work, grassroots organizations and nature restoration projects to protect bee habitats and protect biodiversity.
“Unlocking people’s sense of hope and ability to take concrete action is critical to us as a brand, but doing it alone will not bring it to scale. The collective actions of all of us are needed to save our home planet. That is why we’re inviting others to join us on this mission to save the pollinators to save ourselves,” said Pangaia’s chief global engagement officer Eva Kruse.
Resale platform Vestiaire Collective is among the founding members of the coalition, alongside Chanel heir David Wertheimer’s 1686 Partners, Freud Communications, Global Citizen Forum, creative studio NR2154, Lagardère Travel Retail and restaurant chain Wagamama.
Expo City Dubai, Dubai International Airport and the Emirates Nature, the WWF branch there, are also among some of the first round of partners revealed.
Organizations and businesses that join commit to using their platforms to engage people in the global fundraising campaign.
Pangaia has long been involved in the COP events and Kruse said that it is important for fashion to stay engaged with international leaders. “We want to put nature at the heart of the climate conversation,” she said.
The Trillion Bees organization is a natural extension of Pangaia’s championing of bees, which has been raising awareness — and funds — for the need to protect the planet’s pollinators. The brand launched its program in 2020 and has created special items such as a sweatshirt, with all proceeds going to support four NGOs.
Kruse noted that through this initiative and explaining the importance of bees, the idea of supporting biodiversity became much more tangible for both consumers and those within the fashion industry.
Pangaia wants to further increase that educational bent, scale it up and bring in more partners to support projects. Using COP as the launching pad made sense as a place to spread the word and rally companies as global partners.
She also noted that the fashion industry sees itself as separate from nature, yet the majority of garments and textiles all start with farming and materials sourced directly from nature.
Trillion Bees will be supported by a scientific advisory board, chaired by biodivdersity and ecosystem expert professor Simon Potts, which will create the target settings for the coalition.
“Bee the Change will drive a wide range of positive actions to protect all pollinators and their habitats. This is guided by the Theory of Change, which is a powerful tool to ensure that the actions are based on the best available scientific evidence and knowledge,” he said.
There will be a multipronged strategy for the campaign. Pangaia will host a panel discussion with partner Global Citizen Forum throughout COP28. The company will also take their work to the big screen with the “Bee the Change” documentary from “Kiss the Ground” producers Josh and Rebecca Tickell. The film will explore humanity’s dependence on the little insects, which support the globe’s food production ecosystems.
The film will screen on the main stage in the Green Zone, with its world theatrical premiere slated for World Bee Day on May 20.
