WJI 2030 is pleased to announce the launch of a Pilot on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive – “Preparing for CSDDD: A Deep Dive on Key Topics”.

We welcome you to watch an Introductory Video from Mr. Didier Reynders, EU Commissioner of Justice, where he stresses the importance of commitment to responsible corporate governance and due diligence, and the opportunity for companies to step up before the Directive is in place. Collaborative action can create a bridge between policy and practice on the ground.

What will the Pilot look at?

• Interlinkages between CSDDD and CSRD
• Requirements for in scope companies for human rights due diligence
• Requirements for in scope companies for environmental due diligence
• Conducting holistic due diligence
• Conducting double materiality assessment to support due diligence
• Identify and assess implications for upstream & downstream value chain
• Reflect on challenges, barriers and opportunities for companies and their value chain
• Testing and building on the WJI 2030 Human Rights Navigator
• How we can develop tools and resources for the watch & Jewellery supply chain including a supplier engagement process

What are the key objectives?

• Support companies in their implementation of effective Human Rights (and environmental) Due Diligence
• Lead the industry forward through proactive preparation for upcoming legislation
• Build on the Human Rights Navigator and focus on practical implementation through examples and best practice
• Address key challenges members are likely to face in operationalizing due diligence principles

What is the main outcome? We will be developing an open-source case study on implementation of the upcoming regulation, in the watch & Jewellery industry, and bring every participant along the journey of learning, on the operationalisation of the new legislation.

Watch the full Video Here.

On the 10th of April, WJI 2030 held a C-Driven panel at Watches and Wonders and announced the launch of its second annual Stakeholder Report – Report on Progress 2023 – 2024.

Under the moderation of Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director & Secretary General of WJI 2030, an esteemed C-Suite panel of executives took the stage on the topic “Up to 2030: Why Collective Action Matters.” The panel included Cyrille Vigneron, President & CEO of Cartier; Dr Anino Emuwa , Founder of 100 Women @ Davos; Frederic Grangie, CEO of CHANEL Watches & Jewellery; and Dr. Daniel Klier, Advisor to the ESG Committee at WJI 2030.

Over the past year, we’ve continued to strengthen our engagement with key stakeholders while embarking on a journey dedicated to action, collaboration, impact, and transparency. The Stakeholder Report showcases collective progress of the Initiative and our Members in accelerating the pathway on the three strategic pillars – climate resilience, preserving resources and fostering inclusiveness.

Key takeaways from this morning’s panel are that:

• We need to work together to protect the environment and advocate for social justice. This is an obligation. Collective action is mandatory, there is no other way.
• We are in an industry that makes beautiful creations that are meant to last forever. This cannot be about only the big players but making sure the big brands can come together and support the smaller company players. We need to measure and KPIs are critical.
  • There is currently a competition for talent. The worlds diverse talent needs to be tapped into. Youth demo is becoming more important in this industry. It’s not only the right thing to do, the numbers show it. Diverse leadership brings better decision making and innovation. Culture matters.
• We need accountability. Transparency matters, and it’s a journey. Reporting is not about storytelling. It is about collecting relevant data to show progress over time in an honest way. It’s about being fit for purpose in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Reporting accomplishes the following: it levels the playing field, creates consistency, and increases pace.
• We see great progress with large companies leading the way as they have the capacity to do so. But to reach our collective goals by 2030 we need to bring suppliers onboard. It is about educating and building capacity across the value chain.

As we acknowledge the milestones, we’ve collectively made this year, we remain humble and are committed to support our members on the implementation of the minimum commitments. All the tools and materials we are building will ultimately become open source for the wider industry.

Watch the Replay

Geneva, 10th April, 2024 – The Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI 2030) hosted a C-Driven panel at Watches & Wonders to launch its second annual Stakeholder Report – Report on Progress 2023 – 2024.

Under the moderation of Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director & Secretary General of WJI 2030, an esteemed C-Suite panel of executives took the stage on the topic Up to 2030: Why Collective Action Matters. The panel included Cyrille Vigneron, President & CEO of Cartier SA; Dr. Anino Emuwa, Founder of 100 Women @ Davos; Frédéric Grangié, CEO of Chanel Watches & Jewellery; and Dr. Daniel Klier, Advisor to the ESG Committee at WJI 2030.

Over the past year, WJI 2030 has continued to strengthen its engagement with key stakeholders while embarking on a journey dedicated to action, collaboration, impact, and transparency. The Annual Progress Report showcases progress of the Initiative and its Members in accelerating the pathway on the three strategic pillars – climate resilience, preserving resources and fostering inclusiveness.

• Under Pillar 1 Climate Resilience, WJI 2030 has built member capacity on setting science based targets through face-to-face workshops, a series of webinars, resources and guidance materials on the science based target journey, and launched the SBTi for SMEs training module with help desk support with experts. Looking back at 2023, significant progress has been made by members in their climate resilience journey, with 48% of Maison and Partner members meeting the minimum commitment on Climate Resilience to sign and submit the Science Based Targets initiatives (SBTi) commitment letter. Acknowledging that SMEs require special support and guidance, we are proud to have launched the SME Solutions Lab in collaboration with United Nations Global Compact.
• Under Pillar 2 Preserving Resources, WJI 2030 acknowledges that this topic is challenging for many of its members, and therefore additional capacity has been invested through expert helpdesk sessions, face-to-face workshops, and webinars, to enable and activate companies on their nature journey. The Nature Primer was launched to guide members on first concrete actions and to build members’ awareness and familiarity with new global goals for nature, frameworks, and regulations – and begin to make connections to their business. Currently, on the commitment of setting up a Nature Roadmap for their company commensurate to their level of ambition and capabilities, less than one third (29%) of Maison and Partner members have achieved this goal whereas the remaining members (71%) are in progress or just getting started – with 22% yet to get started. As a result, WJI 2030 has activated the Nature Roadmap and Nature Playbook to be launched in 2024, and will provide an action pathway aligned with recognised global goals and frameworks, including the work of Business for Nature, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Capitals Coalition, World Economic Forum, and the overarching ACT-D (assess, commit, transform, disclose) model, alongside the guidance and methodologies under development for the Science Based Targets for Nature (STBN), the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), and new reporting standards and regulations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Global Reporting Initiative’s updated Biodiversity Standard.
• Under Pillar 3, Fostering Inclusiveness, the focus this year has been on building capacity in the operationalisation of Human Rights Due Diligence, Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) implementation, and an introduction to Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Engagement. A Human Rights Navigator Tool has been developed in December 2023, and the first phase of a Gender Responsive Procurement (GRP) pilot in collaboration with UN Women was completed, and a case study with 9 leading members at the UN General Assembly in September 2023 was published.
• Transparency and disclosure is important. In partnership with ESG Book, WJI 2030 has diligently worked over 12 months building a reporting framework aligned with the new regulations and best practices in ESG Reporting. WJI 2030 and ESG Book identified key topics aligned with WJI 2030 commitments across dominant frameworks and standards, drafted a framework with a distribution of KPIs across three pillars, validated select KPIs with internal and external stakeholders, and developed an accountability mechanism for reporting governance. Moving forward, a testing period with members will be launched, enabling organisations to interact with the framework and trial a test disclosure on ESG Book.

As WJI 2030 acknowledges these milestones, they remain humble and are committed to support their members on the implementation of the minimum commitments. All the work that is being developed will ultimately become open source, for the wider industry and beyond. 

Cyrille Vigneron, President & CEO, Cartier SA, “No one has the power to change everything alone. Together we have a chance. We must not be discouraged by current setbacks. It just means we need to work harder and keep moving forward.”

Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability & Institutional Affairs Officer, Kering, “To succeed, it is vital that the entire supply chain, and your entire ecosystems are fully engaged. Our responsibility is not only to help our suppliers assess their impacts, but also to invest with them in doing so. Once more, the collective approach is key. WJI 2030 can help both on the strategic side and on the implementation of very concrete tools for immediate actions.”

Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director and Secretary General, WJI 2030 “As WJI 2030 navigates this journey, we look forward to continue to work with the wider industry on smart collaborations. The consumer deserves trust and integrity and only together can we deliver towards this promise. We thank our Board, Members, Partners, and Key Stakeholders for supporting us in empowering this change.”

Download Here

Last week, we were pleased to meet with our members, partners and team at the fifth WJI 2030 Member Workshop, hosted by Cartier in Paris, France. We thank our members and partners for bringing their drive for accelerated action to our sessions and making this workshop engaging and practical. The workshop focused on topical deep-dives into the core pillars of WJI 2030: Climate Resilience, Nature, and Inclusion.

We examined current actions, progress, and concrete next steps within each pillar, exploring existing workstreams and introducing new topics such as life cycle assessment and circularity, living wage, and livelihoods. While we acknowledge the challenges ahead, we are encouraged by the commitment and progress demonstrated by our members. As reflected in the African proverb shared by Paul Polman at the WJI 2030 panel at ChangeNOW, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

Every action taken by our members contributes to our collective impact. Key takeaways from the workshop included interest in developing a Living Wage Learning Path, emphasizing both theoretical understanding and practical implementation under Pillar 3: Inclusiveness. Breakout groups on Pillar 1: Climate, addressed topics such as calculating carbon footprint and promoting circularity. Under Pillar 3: Preserving Resources, challenges were discussed regarding integrating a nature strategy into day-to-day operations, and existing efforts in other pillars were explored as they can serve as a foundation for assessing biodiversity materiality and collating relevant data while the Nature Roadmap and Playbook are in development. Members were also encouraged to participate in pilots aligned with their sustainability ambitions, including inclusive employment and collaborative initiatives such as CSDDD.

As we reflect on the insights gained and discussions held during the workshop, we are energized to continue the momentum towards accelerated action in our workstreams. Collaboration, shared learning, and transparency remain central to our collective efforts as we strive to make scalable impact.

Special appreciation goes to Boston Consulting Group, BSR, The Biodiversity Consultancy, Deloitte, ESG Book, and Quantis for sharing their expertise and enriching our workshop discussions and break out sessions.

We extend our appreciation to all participants for their dedication and look forward to continuing to work together toward our ambitious goals and collective action to build climate resilience, preserve resources, and foster inclusiveness. Together, we empower the change.

Paris, March 26, 2024

Since its inception in 2017, ChangeNOW has been on a mission to accelerate environmental and social transition, uniting minds and innovative solutions to confront the greatest global challenges. At this year’s summit in Paris, WJI 2030 hosted a roundtable discussion, “Facing the Challenges Towards 2030: Bridging an Interconnected Pathway for Climate, Nature, and Human Rights.”

Moderated by WJI 2030 Executive Director, Iris Van der Veken, the session served as a platform for business leaders and change-makers to delve deep into pressing sustainability issues and catalyse actionable solutions.

Speakers included recognized business leaders and change-makers: Paul Polman, Business Leader, Campaigner, and Co-author of “Net Positive”, Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief of Sustainability and Institutional Affairs at Kering, Dr. Anino Emuwa, Founder of 100 Women @ Davos, Julien Rivals, Partner, Sustainability at Deloitte & Associés, and Elisa Niemtzow, Vice-President at BSR.

Bringing his wealth of experience to the discussion, Paul Polman shed light on the urgency of our situation and emphasised the need to move from competitive to cooperative leadership. He highlighted the stark reality that humanity has already exceeded six of the nine planetary boundaries, with two more teetering on the brink. Merely incremental improvements are insufficient; a paradigm shift towards restorative and regenerative action is imperative.

The staggering cost of inaction could lead to an estimated $170 trillion loss by 2070 if sustainability issues are not promptly addressed. These figures starkly illustrate the high stakes involved and the urgent need for collective action.

The roundtable discussion echoed Polman’s sentiments, emphasizing the interconnected nature of the challenges we face. Panellists discussed the importance of a holistic approach that transcends traditional silos, integrating sustainability considerations into every aspect of business strategy and decision-making.

Throughout the session, the need for collaborative action emerged as a recurring theme. An estimated 80% of current issues could be solved through collective action. However, panellists also acknowledged the systemic barriers that hinder progress, including embedded economic systems, political agendas, and technological limitations.

These challenges are symptomatic of a broader societal problem rooted in greed and short-term thinking, but the cost of doing nothing is now higher than doing something. The imperative to work together to find regenerative, equitable, and sustainable
solutions for all is urgent and undeniable. It is incumbent upon us to rise to the
occasion, transcending individual interests and embracing collective action to safeguard the future of our planet and generations to come.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Title: Membership & Administration Coordinator  
• Contract Time: Full time.
• Location: Geneva
• Reporting Line: Executive Director
• Professional experience: Minimum 4-5 years
• Working languages: English and French

Context

The Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI 2030) is a Non-for-Profit, Swiss Association guided by the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the 17 SDGs, and dedicated to accelerating sustainability in the watch and jewellery industry, with the ambition of making the industry resilient to climate change, preserving resources and fostering inclusiveness.

WJI 2030 was founded in April 2022 by co-founders, Cartier and Kering, and has over 60 member companies within its membership today. WJI 2030 is based in Geneva, at Masion De La Paix. At WJI 2030, we firmly believe the global watch and jewellery industry faces unique opportunities to work together to make a positive impact. More information here.

Core Responsibilities

• Scheduling and Coordination: schedule appointments, manage calendars, meetings and conferences, manage travel arrangements and accommodations through travel agency for staff.
• Organizing meetings and events: manage and support arranging meetings, conferences and events. This includes booking venues, coordinating catering, preparing agendas and ensuring that all necessary materials are available.
• Conducting research: you may be asked to research various topics or projects on behalf of the organization. This can involve gathering information, analyzing data, and preparing reports or summaries for the executive’s review. Therefore, knowledge of key sustainability topics and / or of the watch and jewellery industry is a plus.
• Handling Communication: manage incoming and outgoing correspondence, including emails, phone calls and mail.
• Providing support and coordination: support the organization in various ways, such as coordinating with other team members, liaising with external stakeholders, and providing general assistance as needed to help the executive fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
• Administrative Support: provide administrative support to staff members, such as preparing briefings, documents, reports and creating presentations.
• Managing Facilities: oversee the maintenance of office facilities with IT team, logistics team where appropriate.
• Budget and Expense Tracking: support with management of office budgets and tracking expenses. This may involve reconciling invoices, monitoring spending and preparing financial reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or proven track record of experience.
• Proven experience: minimum 4-5 years, in a similar role – this can include positions such as project management roles, administrative roles, or similar.
• Certifications are a plus: certifications in administrative support or office management, or project management, such as Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP) or equivalent.
• Flexibility and ability to successfully navigate within a complex multi-stakeholder environment and succeed in a fast-paced organization.
• Fluent in English and French.
• Excellent Organizational Skills: capable of managing multiple tasks, schedules and priorities effectively.
• Strong Communication Skills: possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, as you will often serve as the primary point of contact for the organisation and interact with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Office Software: be proficient in using office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and email management programs (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Attention to Detail: have a keen eye for detail and accuracy, particularly when managing documents, scheduling appointments and handling correspondence on behalf of the executive.
• Discretion and confidentiality when it comes to sensitive information, as confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: be resourceful and able to anticipate and address problems or challenges proactively.
• Ability to work under pressure, effectively in fast-paced environment and handle tight deadlines and competing priorities with poise and professionalism.
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and schedules, as the needs of the organization can evolve rapidly.
• Professionalism and Integrity: conduct yourself with professionalism and integrity in all interactions, representing the executive and the organization in a positive manner.
• Knowledge of key sustainability topics and / or the watch and jewellery industry is a plus.

Submit your CV and Letter of Motivation to talent@wjinitiative2030.org