The complementary medicines industry relies on the natural world – from plant and marine ingredients to the ecosystems that support them – to deliver safe, effective, high-quality products. As environmental pressures grow, so too does the responsibility to ensure that business practices protect and preserve these vital resources.
CMA is proud to guide the sector in working toward a more sustainable, transparent and resilient future. As global demand for responsible business rises, our members are already taking action.
Cutting emissions to protect health and supply chains
The effects of climate change, from rising temperatures to extreme weather events and biodiversity loss, all threaten the quality and availability of natural ingredients used across the complementary medicines supply chain. More than 15,000 of the world’s 50,000 medicinal plants are now at risk of extinction, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Recognising this, CMA has set a clear industry goal: with all members encouraged to measure their carbon footprint and work towards a decarbonisation target. This collective commitment supports both global climate goals and long-term supply chain resilience. Many members are already on this journey, unlocking business efficiencies, strengthening supplier partnerships, and reducing emissions.
Environmental leadership extends beyond ingredients. CMA members are also innovating in packaging and waste reduction, in line with growing consumer expectations and Australia’s national sustainability targets. While global negotiations on a plastics treaty continue, our sector is taking proactive steps – from replacing single-use plastics with recyclable or compostable alternatives, to reducing excess packaging and promoting closed-loop systems.
Krill oil: an example of responsible sourcing in action
One example of how the sector is balancing innovation with environmental care is the sourcing of krill oil – a marine-derived ingredient valued for its highly bioavailable omega-3 fatty acids. Given its high bioavailability and natural phospholipid form, krill oil has become a popular alternative to fish oil – with scientifically proven health benefits.
Krill oil used in Australian complementary medicines comes from a highly regulated fishery in the Southern Ocean. Operating under the strict oversight of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the fishery is governed by internationally agreed science-based limits, observer programs, and advanced harvesting practices to ensure low environmental impact.
A 2025 report by the United Nations Food & Agricultural Organisation rated the Antarctic Krill Fishery as “100% sustainable”1, thanks to its precautionary catch limits (less than 1% of the biomass), low bycatch rates (0.1-0.3%)2, and continual monitoring of ecosystem health.
The krill biomass is also scientifically surveyed by CCAMLR with the most recent survey showing Antarctic krill are growing in number3, while other assessments showed populations of fin and humpback whales are also growing4.
As an industry, we are proud of the steps being taken to ensure that natural health products are not only effective, but also produced responsibly.
Further promoting transparency, the industry also provides all the science behind the fishery in an accessible, public domain resource known as the “Krill Science Hub” which collects all the published science in one place.
Supporting a more sustainable future for health and wellness
Over the past year, CMA has delivered a range of practical resources to help businesses embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across their supply chains and operations. This includes the release of two member-exclusive resources: the CMA Guide to Decarbonisation, and the CMA ESG Supplier Questionnaire. These tools aim to support companies across the entire value chain – from raw material sourcing to finished products – in meeting the growing expectations of regulators, investors and consumers.
Looking ahead
Consumers today are looking for more than just health benefits. They want assurance that the products they choose are aligned with their values. Our members are responding with action: reducing emissions, sourcing ethically, supporting biodiversity, and designing for a circular economy.
Through shared leadership and practical resources, CMA will continue to support the sector’s transition to a more sustainable future – for the benefit of people, the planet and generations to come.
1 Review of the state of world marine fishery resources – 2025
2 Bycatch in the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) trawl fishery
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