ADDING FURTHER MOMENTUM TO THE INDUSTRY’S COLLABORATIVE MOVEMENT FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Founding members Cartier and Kering were on stage at the Watch Forum to mark the 1st anniversary of the Initiative 2030
One year since the creation of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, membership has risen with new members, representing brands from different market segments, marking a level of diversity that is key to ensure the industry creates a durable and positive impact. Thus, are joining today the initiative: luxury watchmakers A. Lange & Söhne, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-Lecoultre, Panerai and Piaget, as well as Dimexon, Mattioli, Pandora and Rubel & Ménasché.
These new members are coming in addition to Cartier, Kering (Boucheron, Gucci Watches, Pomellato, Dodo, Qeelin), Chanel Horlogerie Joaillerie, Montblanc, Rosy Blue and Swarovski.
Commenting on the continued growth of the initiative, Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director and Secretary General of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, said: “It is inspiring to see the unanimous response from CEOs and key stakeholders to drive positive change and accelerate collective action. Welcoming this illustrious group of brands underscores the importance of collaborative initiatives in our industry. More than ever, ambitious Partnerships/collective actions are fundamental to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals as we progress towards 2030 and beyond.”
During a panel discussion today at the Watch Forum organised by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Iris Van der Veken, newly appointed as Executive Director and General Secretary of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering, and Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International, shared updates on the initiative’s objectives and impact, as well as clarified the governance of this resource platform.
Cartier, delegated by Richemont, and Kering launched the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 in October 2021 driven by a common conviction that the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aspirations for a sustainable industry can only be achieved through collaborative initiatives. The global initiative is open to all watch and jewellery players with a national or international footprint. It is committed to a common core of key sustainability goals in three areas: building climate resilience, preserving resources, and fostering inclusiveness.
Building on strong, existing initiatives and organisations in the industry, such as Science Based Targets (SBT), the initiative also includes newer focus areas such as science-based climate targets, biodiversity protection and materials and business model innovation, with the intent of encouraging and enabling industry transformation.
About the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030
Driven by a common conviction that the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aspirations for a sustainable industry can only be achieved through collaborative efforts, the Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030 has been launched by Cartier and Kering.
The Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, Member of the Global Compact and signatory of the Women Empowerment Principles is a global initiative open to all Watch and Jewellery players with a national or international footprint committed to a common core of key sustainability goals in three areas: building climate resilience, preserving resources, and fostering inclusiveness.
Press contact: press@wjinitiative2030.org
September 14 & 15
September 13
Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier, Co-Chair Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 meets key stakeholders to discuss collaboration
Vicenza – Sept 9, 2022 – The Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, is pleased to announce that CIBJO and UFBJOP have joined as affiliate members.
CIBJO the World Jewellery Confederation, and UFBJOP (Union Française de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie, des Pierres et des Perles) are pleased to announce they have become affiliate members and entered into a strategic collaboration with the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 on supporting the mission and vision of the WJI 2030 to their members and are committed to actively participating in the governance structure that is in process of consultation.
With industry associations playing an increasingly critical role to accelerate the sustainability agenda for their members, this collaboration will support their members in the sustainability journey to accelerate meaningful positive impact.
Bernadette Pinet Cuoq, Executive President UFBJOP
“As the only professional organisation representing the jewellery industry in France, we are are proud to join the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 reinforcing our long-term commitment to taking responsible business action with all our members to create the world we all want, this is a shared responsibility and we need change agents to advance the 2030 agendas.”
Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO
“As the world’s gem and jewellery industry’s representative in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) a member of the Global Compact, since 2006, we are strongly committed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This collaboration will allow us learn and share to drive far more impact for our members in the 3 pillars of building climate resilience, preserving resources, and fostering inclusiveness.”
Cyrille Vigneron/Marie Claire Daveu, Co-Chairs Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030
“We are excited about this collaboration. Partnerships across the industry stakeholder ecosystem are essential or establishing a strong foundation to shape the initiative. We look forward to the important contribution of CIBJO and UFBJOP.”
Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director
“The time is now. We have a huge opportunity as an industry to step up and accelerate progress towards the 2030 agenda. Transformational partnerships are key to succeed. We are currently in a consultation phase to shape the governance structure and we look forward to building a strong foundation to make this multi-stakeholder action platform successful.”
The Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 is participating in a leadership panel at VicenzaOro and will lead the sustainability forum content in January 2023 in collaboration with CIBJO.
About the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030
Driven by a common conviction that the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aspirations for a sustainable industry can only be achieved through collaborative efforts, the Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030 has been launched by Cartier and Kering.
The Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, member of the Global Compact and signatory of the Women Empowerment Principles, is a global initiative open to all Watch and Jewellery players with a national for international footprint committed to a common core of key sustainability goals in three areas: building climate resilience, preserving resources, and fostering inclusiveness.
Press contact: press@wjinitiative2030.org
September 9-13
Geneva, July 12th 2022 — Today, Iris Van der Veken has been appointed Executive Director and Secretary General of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI2030).
Iris Van der Veken will directly report to the Board of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, and will be based in Geneva.
With a background in law and international relations, Iris Van der Veken has more than 20 years of global experience working in fast-paced environments including the technology, jewellery and fashion industries, as well as the public sector. She has held different strategic leadership positions in the areas of public affairs, international relations, human resources, sustainability, and operations.
Her strong commitment to the global agenda of gender equality has led her to initiate the Generation Equality Campaign for the Jewellery Industry in the context of her former role as Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council. She is a Board Member of ISEAL and Diamonds Do Good.
Commenting on her appointment, Iris Van der Veken said she is excited to be taking on the role. “I am humbled and honoured to lead this C suite coalition,” she said. “I look forward to working with our members and key stakeholders including BJOP, CIBJO, FH, FHH, GIT, GJPC ICA, JA, JLF, JVC, Responsible Jewellery Council, WDC, WJA, along the value chain to deliver collective impact and drive consumer confidence. I believe multi stakeholder partnerships can truly accelerate the sustainability agenda and reporting on measurable progress is critical to enhance trust and transparency.”
“This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 and we are looking forward to working with Iris and her team that she will build to ensure we will deliver on our ambition,” said Kering’s Chief of Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer, Marie-Claire Daveu. “Her track record on strategic partnerships, depth of international sustainability experience in jewellery and fashion supply chains and her passion for building collective impact through the 17 Sustainable Goals makes her a strong leader.”
Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Iris as the new Executive Director of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030. We are confident that under Iris’ leadership, we will be able to accelerate change and enable action throughout the global jewellery and watch supply chain. Her deep commitment and highly valuable experience are crucial to achieve the initiative’s ambitious goals and make a transformative difference for the future generations.”
Driven by a common conviction that the global 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aspirations for a sustainable global jewellery and watch industry can only be achieved through collaborative efforts, Cartier, delegated by Richemont, and Kering launched the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 in October 2021. Since its inception, the Watch & Jewellery Initiative has welcomed new members, Chanel Horlogerie Joaillerie, Montblanc, Pandora, Rosy Blue, and
Swarovski. These new members have come in addition to Cartier and the brands of Kering, Gucci Watches, Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, Qeelin. Relying on strong existing initiatives such as the Science Based Targets (SBT), the WJI2030 includes newer areas of focus such as science-based climate targets, biodiversity protection and materials and business model innovation, with the intent of encouraging and enabling industry transformation and innovation.
A team will soon be set up to support Iris in her new role.
Press contact: press@wjinitiative2030.org