CIBJO Congress unveils practical tools to advance jewellery industry’s ability to comply with ESG requirements

CIBJO Congress unveils practical tools to advance
jewellery industry’s ability to comply with ESG requirements

The ESG panel is session at the 2025 CIBJO Congress on October 28, (from left): Jon Key, Founder and Managing Director, Key and Co Ltd., moderator; Sandra Beauchet, Environmental Assessment Specialist, Francéclat; Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director at Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030; Helen Mitchell, Director, Sustainability / ESG Change & Comms; Wesley Hunt, Director, Programme Management at De Beers Consumer & Brands; and Francesca Manfredi, Head of Sustainable Innovation Watches & Jewellery, Kering. Joining the panel virtually from Japan is John Mulligan, Head of Sustainability Strategy, World Gold Council, and President of CIBJO’s Sustainable Development Commission.

OCTOBER 28 2025

A CIBJO panel unveiled practical tools to advance jewellery sustainability as part of efforts to meet ESG goals. The session was moderated by John Key, owner of the Key & Co. consultancy in London.

What practical tools are helping to turn ambition into action?

CIBJO expects to publish a sustainability reference guide, including a tool kit, next year, John Mulligan of the World Gold Council, who is a leader of CIBJO Sustainable Development Commission

Tools to advance sustainability include operationalisation of human rights; deep-dive nature and biodiversity; and an impact action journey framework, panellists said.

Sandra Beauchet of Franceclat outlined some practical tools in environmental impact categories, including a life cycle concept covering the lifetime of pieces of jewellery.

“At each stage of the value chain you have to define what is emitted to the air and water,” she said.

Consultant Helen Mitchell outlined an essential tool entitled “Double Materiality Assessment,” for which CIBJO will be providing a guideline and tools at no cost via its website.

“Companies usually struggle as they move from intention to execution, to get a complete picture of the risks in their own value chain, and to embed those ESG actions into business strategy,” she said.

Wesley Hunt of De Beers Group said ESG is good for business, underlining the importance of practical tool kits.

Mr Key referred to a slowing momentum towards ESG goals in recent months, including cash challenges, against a backdrop of scepticism over climate change in the U.S. administration, and complications due to tariffs.

John Mulligan of the World Gold Council (WGC) spoke of the enduring need for businesses to respond to sustainability goals.

Mr Key referred to the challenge of “greenhushing” in the United States due to the scepticism of the U.S. administration.

Mr Hunt said some companies were now moving more quickly than others on their journeys to meet sustainability goals, due to the impact of the change in the U.S. administration.

Iris Van Der Veken, CEO of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative (WJI 2030), spoke of the importance of collaborations across the industry, including among SMEs, to make advances around ESG.

Francesca Manfredi, Head of Sustainable Innovation Watches & Jewellery at Kering said further educational programmes were needed to encourage awareness of young people around ESG.

Consultant Helen Mitchell said more leadership was needed in companies to drive forward ESG policies on their boards’ agendas.