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
- Six months 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 for the panel and for people. Thus, are joining today the initiative: Chanel Horlogerie Joaillerie, Montblanc, Rosy Blue and Swarovski. These new members are coming in addition to Cartier and the brands of Kering, Gucci Watches, Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, Qeelin.
- During a discussion panel today at Watches & Wonders in Geneva, Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering, and Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International, shared the first strides of the initiative’s impact and what the initiative should help achieve.
- Today also marked the official founding of the association hosting the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, to be located in Geneva. On the occasion of the panel, Marie-Claire Daveu and Cyrille Vigneron signed the founding documents on stage when the panel concluded.
Driven by a common conviction that the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aspirations for a sustainable industry can only be achieved through collaborative initiatives, Cartier, delegated by Richemont, and Kering, came together to broaden and strengthen their action, launching the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 in October 2021.
Building on strong, existing initiatives such as the Science Based Targets (SBT), the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 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.
“Just six months on from launching the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 it is inspiring to see the response and enthusiasm for positive change,” said Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering, “The newest members are important additions to the initiative and I commend their commitment to join us in building a more sustainable sector. I have no doubt that our ambitious goals combined with our collective influence will help drive a sea-change in the sector and, at Kering, we are excited to deepen our collaboration to ensure that this will happen.”, she commented.
“We all firmly believe that the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aspirations for a sustainable industry can only be achieved through collaborative initiatives”, said Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International, while discussing the progress of the initiative at Watches & Wonders in Geneva today. “We are thrilled to see new members joining the initiative to strengthen global efforts towards a more sustainable industry. More than ever, we remain committed to share our common vision of a future where all Maisons, their suppliers and business partners are empowered to deliver positive impact on the planet and its people. We are confident that additional brands will soon commit to join us.”
For the first time in the luxury industry, the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 launched by Cartier and Kering brings together watches and jewellery brands across the globe committing to a set of ambitious and common key sustainability objectives in three areas: building climate resilience, preserving resources, and fostering inclusiveness.
While the members have set tangible targets for climate, biodiversity, and inclusiveness, the initiative strongly commits to transparency with the requirement to report on progress on a regular basis. It will also support members in meeting growing expectations of stakeholders, including consumers, civil society, and regulators, of exemplary environmental, social and ethical practices.
Standing at the crossroads of environmental considerations and the ambition to strengthen positive impacts for people all along the value chain, the commitments supported by the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 lie at the very heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with the initiative itself contributing to Goal 17, “partnerships for the goals.”
Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030: roadmap and targets
Goal 1: Building climate resilience
The first goal of the initiative is about engaging on priority actions to reduce carbon emissions in line with 1.5°C pathway by 2030 and to achieve Net Zero by 2050. As a minimum commitment, brands joining the initiative should engage in signing and submitting the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) within one year , thus setting science-based emission reduction targets.
Members will be able to address collectively the following ways to achieve the goal:
- Engage on Science-based Targets for Climate with actions that include:
- Decarbonising across all Scopes 1, 2 and 3
- Implementing 100% renewable energy across operations and extending to the whole value chain with the engagement of suppliers and distribution partners by 2030
- Implementing best practices for energy efficiency across operations and services, with a special focus on reducing the impact of digital communications, commerce and events, considering their growing prevalence.
- Work towards achieving net zero GHG emissions by balancing residual emissions with high-quality GHG removals, and investing in high-quality climate projects, including in nature-based solutions, with a focus on the conservation and restoration of forest, coastal and marine ecosystems.
- Help vulnerable populations in the watch and jewellery industry value chain and contribute to low-carbon solutions for these communities
Goal 2: Preserving resources for nature and communities
The second goal of the initiative is to ensure that the industry’s sourcing has a positive impact on nature, species, and communities.
As a minimum commitment within one year after joining the initiative brands should measure and prioritise their impact on biodiversity and water across their sourcing of key raw materials, using a credible science-based framework.
Members will be able to address collectively the following ways to achieve goal:
- defining and implementing action plans to reduce water and biodiversity impacts
- Implementing sourcing standards that both protect natural ecosystems and the services they provide to local and indigenous peoples. This means ensuring that supply chains are free of products sourced from ancient and endangered forests and commit to restore habitats where mining and other extraction activities have occurred and contributing to the development of local livelihoods for mining and farming communities that respect the balance of natural ecosystems.
- Creating a new industry mindset focused on sustainable innovation and circularity in materials, products and practices in the industry.
Goal 3: Fostering inclusiveness across the value chains
As a group, all WJI members will work collectively to define a minimum commitment for this pillar and identify relevant certifications for its supply chain.
Members will be able to address collectively the following ways to achieve goal:
- Supporting the certification of 100% of Tier 1 suppliers and 60-80% of Tier 2 suppliers
- Eliminating the exposure of employee and nature to chemical risks, by increasing the part of closed-loop processes, heading towards the elimination of leakage of chemicals of concern used in the industry and increasing the prevalence of metal-free tanning.
- Taking action across the industry to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion, to drive positive change.
- Contributing to the preservation and transmission of craftsmanship and industry know-how and support the upward mobility of our workforce as manufacturing and workplaces become increasingly digitized.
More information: www.wjinitiative2030.org
About Cartier
A reference in the world of luxury, Cartier, whose name is synonymous with open-mindedness and curiosity, stands out with its creations and reveals beauty wherever it may be found. Jewellery, fine jewellery, watchmaking and fragrances, leather goods and accessories: Cartier’s creations symbolise the convergence between exceptional craftsmanship and a timeless signature. Today, the Maison has a worldwide presence through its 270 boutiques.
About Kering
A global Luxury group, Kering manages the development of a series of renowned Houses in Fashion, Leather Goods and Jewelry: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, Qeelin, as well as Kering Eyewear. By placing creativity at the heart of its strategy, Kering enables its Houses to set new limits in terms of their creative expression while crafting tomorrow’s Luxury in a sustainable and responsible way. We capture these beliefs in our signature: “Empowering Imagination”. In 2021, Kering had over 42,000 employees and revenue of €17.6 billion.
Press contacts
Cartier – Florence Marin Granger – florence.marin-granger@cartier.com
Kering – Emmanuelle Picard-Deyme – emmanuelle.picard-deyme@kering.com