Geneva, Switzerland, 2 April, 2025 – The Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI 2030) announces the launch of its 2024/2025 Stakeholder Report Towards Collective Action at Watches and Wonders Geneva. The report highlights the collective action, achievements, and progress made by WJI 2030 together with its members and partners.

As the industry continues to navigate an increasingly complex and evolving regulatory and stakeholder landscape, WJI 2030’s mission and ambition remains unchanged. WJI 2030 provides an open multi-stakeholder platform to improve the understanding of topics, connected to climate resilience, preserving resources, and fostering inclusiveness. It defines individual journeys aligned with the regulatory frameworks, while collaborating on projects that deliver value for the industry and beyond.

Building Business Resilience through Collaboration

 “We are committed to continuing our efforts to support all businesses and the wider industry,” said Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director & Secretary General of WJI 2030. “We see three important pathways ahead, focused on education, action and accountability. The launch of our Action Framework reflects this vision. Collaboration, diverse perspectives, and collective action are the keys to meaningful impact. As we reflect on another year, we are happy to share what has been achieved and optimistic about what’s ahead.”

Throughout 2024, WJI 2030 has empowered members of all sizes and maturity levels, to take meaningful actions towards the three pillars. Key initiatives like the SBTi program for SMEs and the Climate Navigator helped companies balance growth with emissions reductions. The launch of the Nature Roadmap provided clear guidelines for tackling the pressing nature and biodiversity crisis, and it’s through our Nature Action Playbook that we aim to support companies understand their nature dependencies and operationalise their nature strategies. A cornerstone of WJI 2030’s work has been its collaboration with UN Women, which has catalysed commitments to women’s empowerment and gender equality across the industry. This partnership has driven significant progress in aligning companies with the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), ensuring that gender equality is integrated into business models and corporate culture. Today, 50 of WJI 2030 member companies have signed the WEPs and integrated the framework has part of their work fostering inclusiveness.

In January 2025, the WJI 2030 introduced the Impact Action Journey Framework at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This digital framework serves as a structured system to guide companies in their efforts toward climate resilience, resource preservation, and fostering inclusiveness. It is a practical tool for accountability, enabling companies to measure and track their progress in creating tangible, measurable impact. We need to develop solutions that build capacity and foster accountability.

The Path Forward: Taking Action

This Stakeholder Report not only recognises the steps taken to date but also outlines the path forward for WJI 2030. The year ahead will be focused on scaling up actions, and providing clear, practical guidance to support companies in operationalizing new and ongoing legislative frameworks. In an era where brand integrity and talent attraction are more critical than ever, reinforcing responsible business practices is a business imperative.

For a detailed overview of our progress and the actions taken, we invite you to read the full 2024/2025 Stakeholder Report.

To access the full report, please click here.

For more information, please contact: mia.benedettini@wjinitiative2030.org

March 27, 2025

On March 26th and 27th, 2025, the WJI 2030 gathered in Antwerp with our members and strategic partners for the 7th workshop, hosted by Rosy Blue. Over 80 participants from member companies and partner organisations attended this workshop. 

These two full-day session were filled with insightful discussions on the evolving role of companies and the actions that are required of them to strengthen business resilience, foster innovation, and build long-term value. 

It was an incredible opportunity for members and partners to come together, learn, and engage on material topics relevant for our industry, in today’s ever-evolving regulatory and stakeholder landscape. 

On Day 1, we focused on CSRD with an in-depth workshop, led by Deloitte and ESG Book.

On Day 2, we held several interactive and engaging sessions:

– Collective Supply Chain Mapping: Managing Risk & Building Suppliers’ Capacity – Led by BSR and LRQA
– Strengthening Accountability on Gender as the Business Case – Led by ESG Book and UN Women
– Water Stewardship – Led by Quantis
– Building a Nature Roadmap – Led by The Biodiversity Consultancy
– Decarbonization – Led by ESG Book and Quantis

We understand that companies are on a journey.

As a multi-stakeholder ecosystem, we are supporting our members, directing our efforts toward hands-on, practical support focused on implementation and operationalization.

As an industry built on beauty, emotions, excellence, craftsmanship, and innovation, we recognize the responsibility to create a legacy for future generations.

WJI 2030 had the privilege of hosting a fireside chat at Inhorgenta, featuring Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director & Secretary General at WJI2030 and Dr. Laurent Cartier,  Global Head of Special Initiatives at SSEF, on “Shaping the Future: Accelerating the Sustainability Journey in the Watch and Jewellery Industry”.

How can companies balance Tradition, Sustainability and Innovation creating an inclusive ecosystem that talent wants to work for? Here are the key highlights. 

The Influence of Regulations & Compliance

Even with the omnibus shaping a reform there is a shift from organizational standards to product-level compliance, including product passports and full traceability of materials from source to product. This level of transparency is essential in meeting growing consumer demands for sustainable products. An inspiring example is Aura Blockchain Consortium.

Implementation of the concept of double materiality shapes resilience

This concept recognizes a company’s impact on the environment and society is material to its financial performance. Double materiality acknowledges risks and opportunities from both financial and nonfinancial perspectives. This concept requires companies to disclose not only how sustainability issues affect them, but also how their operations and activities affect the environment and society at large. Download the white paper here on the pilot we did: https://www.wjinitiative2030.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/WJI2030-CSDDD-Guidance-Note_Final.pdf

People want Purpose – Changing Generational Priorities
The Alpha Generation is the largest generation ever with over 2 billion individuals already influencing purchasing decisions.
They are Digital natives that value personalization, authenticity, and inclusivity in the brands they choose. As they experience the nature and climate crisis firsthand, they are looking for strong values of social responsibility.

Reimagining Business Models
Circular business models are the future. This includes a focus on recycling, reuse, and refurbishing products. Companies need to explore end-of-life product management strategies, including repair, recycling, and repurposing.

Innovation & AI Shaping the Future
There is no return, we need to find the right balance and we need urgent ethics guidance on implementation.

The Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI 2030) and ESG Book unveiled the Impact Action Journey Framework at an engaging session during the World Economic Forum in Davos. This pioneering roadmap is designed to transform sustainability in the watch and jewellery sector, helping businesses of all sizes achieve measurable progress in three critical areas: climate action, nature conservation, and social equity. 

The launch event at Goals House moderated by Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director & Secretary General of WJI 2030, featured a distinguished panel of speakers: Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability & Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering; Mads Twomey-Madsen, SVP Sustainability at Pandora; and Dr. Anino Emuwa, Founder of 100 Women @ Davos.

Opening remarks by leaders, including Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Assistant Secretary General, UN Global Compact, Kirsi Madi of UN Women and Raj Mehta, Director at Rosy Blue, underscored the collaborative efforts driving sustainability within the watch and jewellery industry. In keeping with the 2025 Davos theme, the discussions explored how collective intelligence can accelerate sustainability initiatives while fostering trust through enhanced transparency and accountability.

A cornerstone of the Impact Action Journey Framework is its commitment to actionable and transparent ESG reporting. Built on ESG Book’s cutting-edge platform, the framework enables continuous updates, real-time disclosure, and a unified reporting standard, future proofed for evolving regulations. It simplifies sustainability efforts for organisations offering clear pathways to address challenges and unlock opportunities. 

Key features of the Impact Action Journey Framework include: 

“The Impact Action Journey Framework embodies our commitment to support our members and the wider industry to action and report progress at every stage of their sustainability journey ” said Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of WJI 2030. “This Framework is the result of different collaborations with many experts. We would like to extend our gratitude in particular to Boston Consulting Group, BSR, CIBJO, Deloitte, ESG Book, SouthPole, The Biodiversity Consultancy, UN Global Compact and UN Women for their invaluable input in making this possible.”

In addition, the event introduced a whitepaper on Transparency and Accountability in the Private sector, a collaboration between WJI 2030, UN Women and ESG Book. The whitepaper highlights the importance of consistent reporting to drive accountability through the WEPs, building trust, and meeting global expectations for corporate responsibility. It also maps the current state of global metrics on women’s empowerment, highlighting key gaps. The goal of this paper is to launch a cross-sector consultation on a draft reporting framework that recognizes existing global metrics while addressing these gaps. This initiative relies on cross sectoral collaboration for success. We invite business leaders, policymakers, and advocates to embark on this journey with us.

We had the privilege of hosting a panel, moderated by WJI 2030 Executive Director & Secretary General, Iris Van der Veken, organized by World Jewellery Confederation – CIBJO, on: “The Critical Role of Nature in Business Resilience”.

In a thought-provoking fireside chat that we delved into the crucial intersection of nature, biodiversity, and business, with a specific focus on the watch and jewellery sector. The conversation sheds light on how industry leaders are embracing nature-related strategies and making significant strides in integrating biodiversity into business practices.

Key Highlights from the Event

Buga Berković, Principal Consultant at The Biodiversity Consultancy Ltd, shared insights into WJI 2030’s efforts to systematize nature integration within the industry. She discussed the importance of data collection, materiality assessments, and aligning actions with regulations to ensure meaningful progress.

Alice Vanni, Corporate Social Responsibility Director at Italpreziosi SPA, provided a real-world example of how Italpreziosi has operationalized its biodiversity strategy. She highlighted the company’s holistic approach and commitment to protecting biodiversity through a comprehensive Nature Roadmap.

Johanna Levy, Vice President of ESG Programs at GIA (Gemological Institute of America), emphasized the significance of a data-driven approach to understanding and measuring nature’s impact. With the support of WJI 2030’s resources, GIA has developed metrics that assess impacts on nature, helping the industry navigate complex environmental challenges.

Key Takeaways

– Education on preserving resources by the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 through the Nature Roadmap and the Action Playbook is key to guiding companies on their nature-positive journey.
– Holistic, data-driven approaches are essential for integrating biodiversity across operations, supply chains, and governance processes.
– WJI 2030 nature action playbook is a practical tool to help companies implement concrete actions aligned with the evolving regulations.

Let’s continue to act for biodiversity and ensure a just transition that benefits all.

On November 26-27, FACETS 2024 brought together over 200 leaders, diplomats, and industry experts at Antwerp’s Handelsbeurs to address the challenges and opportunities facing the diamond industry. Organized in partnership with the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI 2030), [JB1] the event continued its legacy of fostering impactful discussions and collaborations, focusing on key topics such as evolving mining practices, midstream trader adaptability, and the growing demand for sustainability and transparency in the supply chain.

The event kicked off with a powerful keynote address by H.E. President of Botswana, Mr. Duma Gideon Boko, who emphasized the importance of genuine partnerships for development, setting the tone for meaningful dialogue. This was followed by an insightful interview with Al Cook which delved into essential themes for the industry’s future, including a new sightholder framework, innovation, transparency, and the critical role of communication and collaboration in safeguarding the integrity of the pipeline and driving consumer confidence.

Later in the day, Watch and Jewellery 2030 Executive Director Iris Van der Vaken moderated the panel “Re-imagining Sustainability as Your Strategy to Business Innovation”, alongside Diana Verde Nieto, an international business and sustainability leader, and Francesca Manfredi, Head of Sustainable Innovation for Watches & Jewellery at Kering. Diana’s perspective that “sustainability is not a cost; it’s an investment,” highlighted the need to prioritize sustainable solutions. Francesca shared inspiring initiatives from Kering, illustrating how brands like Boucheron and Gucci are redefining the industry through innovation and collaboration, emphasizing the transformative role of technology and the engagement of the next generation.

Day 2, largely driven by WJI 2030, focused on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment within the diamond industry. The day began with the formal signing of the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), marking a significant commitment to driving gender equality in the sector.

The day also featured a leadership forum on Advancing Gender Equality in Our Industry, with engaging panels and fireside chats from key industry figures such as Ahalya Choksi, Deborah Pienica, Didier Backaert, Eira Thomas, Francesca Manfredi, and Olivia Landau. Discussions highlighted the practical application of gender equality principles in member companies, with real-world examples from CHANEL, Gucci, Dimexon Diamonds, Bonas Group, Rosy Blue NV, and IGI.

The event concluded with the “Voices of Tomorrow” panel, where emerging leaders shared their vision for a more inclusive and diverse future in the diamond sector.

FACETS 2024 sparked vital discussions, paving the way for industry-wide action on sustainability, innovation, and gender equality. It highlighted the critical role of collaboration in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future for the diamond and jewellery sectors. Now is the time to transform these conversations into tangible actions—let’s work together to drive meaningful progress and shape the future of our industry.

On October 30th, 2024, we gathered in Copenhagen with our members and strategic partners for the 6th workshop, co-hosted by Pandora. Over 80 participants from 45 member companies joined WJI 2030 to discuss key issues shaping the future of our industry.

This full-day session was filled with insightful discussions on the evolving role of companies and the actions that are required of them to make measurable progress. We explored the challenges and complexities ahead, recognizing that companies, especially SMEs, require guidance, training, and support.

As an initiative, we are actively listening to our members, directing our efforts toward hands-on, practical support focused on implementation and operationalization.

The video below highlights perspectives shared by some of our members, including WJI 2030 Board Member Alexander Lacik (CEO & President, Pandora), on WJI 2030’s role as a multi-stakeholder initiative in a rapidly changing landscape. Through our collective efforts, we’re strengthening our commitment to a sustainable future, ensuring our industry is ready for 2030 and beyond.

Paris, France 17 October 2024 – The second edition of the WJI 2030 CEO Forum convened, bringing together more than 70 c-suite from across the global watch and jewellery value chain. The forum themed “The Value of Principles and Transparency in an Era of Disruption and Polarization”, highlighted innovative strategies for businesses to future-proof through enhanced transparency and disclosure.

Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability & Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering and Co-Chair of the WJI 2030 Board, opened the session with a powerful call to action, underscoring the critical role of collaboration. She emphasized, “Collective action is not just a buzzword—we cannot shift the paradigm alone. We must act in concert, and we must act decisively.”

Iris van der Veken, Executive Director and Secretary General of WJI 2030, provided a comprehensive update on the initiative’s progress since its launch two years ago. Van der Veken elaborated, “Each of our initiatives—across climate, nature, and inclusiveness—is aligned with evolving regulations, highlighting the importance of staying ahead of emerging challenges. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; instead, we must focus on collaboration, learning, and shared progress.” She concluded with an inspiring call to action, echoing the words of Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact: “With 2030 fast approaching, we must all work together across generations, sectors, and regions to spur lasting, positive change. This change hinges on four vital ingredients: action, speed, scope, and scale.”

Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Cartier Culture & Philanthropy and Co-Chair of WJI 2030, urged participants to reflect on the expectations of future generations. He emphasized the importance of bringing conviction and purpose into discussions about ESG. “Words like ‘governance’ can feel dry,” he said. “What matters is the energy and heart we put behind these concepts. It’s not about compliance for compliance’s sake—it’s about doing what’s right because it is good.” Vigneron challenged the forum to approach these principles not just as obligations, but as opportunities to lead with purpose.

The forum underscored WJI 2030’s continued commitment to driving sustainability and transparency within the luxury sector, affirming that collaboration and collective action are indispensable for navigating this era of unprecedented disruption.

For a full recap of the event, including insights from our other distinguished speakers, see the event video here.