NEWS ARCHIVE 2018 – CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation

CIBJO certified as being carbon neutral for fifth consecutive year

November 6, 2018

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has been certified as being carbon neutral in 2017, which is the fifth straight year that offset its greenhouse gas emissions through the purchase of carbon credits. It did so as part of the CIBJO Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative that was launched several years ago to promote environmental consciousness and responsibility in the jewellery and gemstone industries.

“Accelerating climate change through global warming is arguably the greatest challenge of our time,” said Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO. “It crosses borders and nations, causing havoc and destruction that threaten of all our planet’s children, their children and their children’s children. The vast majority of scientists agree that it largely is a result of the massive quantities of carbon gases that we humans have pumped over many years into the atmosphere, and if the trend is not reversed the consequences will be even more devastating. But no single act will solve the problem. It is up to all of us. The CIBJO Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative was established to provide our sector a way for playing its part.”

To become carbon neutral, CIBJO’s carbon footprint first was measured by Carbon Expert, an environmental consulting organisation. It included all greenhouse gases emitted by CIBJO as a result of regular operations during the course of the year, and the annual congress in Thailand in November 2017. This was offset through the purchase and retirement of 131 Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs), which were invested in a 300 MW hydroelectric project in India, which is a recognised carbon offsetting project.

Greenhouse gases, which radiate and trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere, are considered a primary cause of climate change by the overwhelming majority of experts in the scientific community. These gases include carbon dioxide, whose entry into the atmosphere is accelerated through the use of fossil fuels; methane, which is emitted during the production of coal, natural gas and oil, as well as through emissions from livestock and other agricultural practices, and through the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills; nitrous oxide, which is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste; and fluorinated gases, which are sometimes used as substitutes for stratospheric ozone-depleting substances.

The CIBJO Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative was established by the jewellery confederation’s Marketing & Education Commission to help companies within the jewellery and gemstone industries understand their environmental impact, reduce it, and protect themselves and the industry as a whole. Companies that become part of the programme are invited to work with Carbon Expert, which assists them in complying with ISO Standard 14064, specifying how to quantify and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals, and apply ISO Standard 20121, which offers guidance and best practice for controlling the environmental impact of events.

To obtain more information about the CIBJO Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

CIBJO holds its 2018 congress in Bogotá, Colombia, focuses on responsible sourcing and adapting to changing business and technological environment

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has wrapped up its 2018 annual congress at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bogotá, Colombia, which was held from October 15 to October 17, with steering committee meetings taking place on October 13 and 14. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of a Responsible Sourcing Guidance, which is designed to provide benchmarks for responsible sourcing systems developed and applied by jewellery and gemstone industry organisations and commercial bodies, and for governments that may seek to create viable regulatory systems.

Addressing the congress, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri called on the jewellery and gemstone industries to adapt to the often-dramatic changes that have taken place in the business, technological and geopolitical environments, stressing this is necessary in order to develop and prosper.

The congress was hosted by Fedesmeraldas, the National Federation of Emeralds of Colombia, and CDTEC, Colombia’s leading gemmological institute.

2108 CIBJO CONGRESS REPORTS

CIBJO concludes 2018 congress in Bogotá, Colombia, after focusing strongly on responsible sourcing and new technologies

During the concluding General Assembly session on the final day, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri described the congress as most successful, noting that significant work had been accomplished in driving forward the business and social agendas of the jewellery and gemstone industries, and in particular preparing them for the luxury marketplace in the years ahead.

Colombian Vice-President Marta Lucia Ramirez visits CIBJO Congress, addresses challenges and opportunities facing country’s jewellery industry

Colombian Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez was a guest of the 2018 CIBJO Congress on its third and final day, addressing delegates as well as about 200 local members of the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá’s Jewellery Cluster. Speaking to the gathering, she outlined challenges facing Colombia in general and the business community specifically, and she pointed to the growing importance and expansion of her country’s jewellery sector.

Colombian industry session features CIBJO panel, looking at how responsible business standards can help jewellery producers break into foreign markets

The morning of the third and final day of the 2018 CIBJO Congress focused on the Colombian jewellery sector with presentations by the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá and the Colombian emerald mining industry. A special panel featuring CIBJO delegates discussed how the Colombian jewellery industry would benefit from adopting responsible business practices.

ISO platinum standard and impact of FTC’s revised jewellery guides debated at Precious Metals Commission

Issues relating to definitions of platinum and gold fineness levels, as well as to the disclosure of rhodium plating, were at the heart of the Precious Metals Commission meeting on the second day of the 2018 CIBJO Congress.

CIBJO Ethics Commission deconstructs the revised jewellery guides of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission

The FTC guides do not have the power of law, although they do attach to a law preventing misleading advertising. The revision process is now closed, but the FTC can reopen consideration of any element of the guides at any time, Ethics Commission President Tiffany Stevens told congress delegates.

Gemmological Commission reveals results of survey of gem labs, which looked at how they differentiate the reporting of natural, synthetic and treated diamonds

The survey showed that the nomenclature used to define the nature of the stones is generally clear, but there remain some inconsistencies in the precise terms used, and whether or not synthetic and treated stones are actually graded.

Soon-to-be launched Precious Corals Online Course at heart of the Coral Commission’s deliberations at the CIBJO Congress

While precious corals are deep-water species, and are not under immediate threat from climate warming and ocean acidification, the commission hopes that the public profile of precious coral jewellery and scientific initiatives taken by its members will raise awareness and provide solutions for the plight of the endangered shallow-water coral reefs.

Pearl Commission discusses the strength of social media marketing to promote industry and consumer education

CIBJO’s Do’s and Do Not’s guide for retailers was also presented during the Pearl Commission session. It is a concise document for industry professionals, reviewing what people who trade in pearls should and shouldn’t do, and it includes a table providing comprehensive information about possible pearl treatments.

U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s revised guide for the jewelry industry comes under the focus of the Diamond Commission at CIBJO Congress

An overview of the changes that the United States’ FTC published in its jewellery guides are believed by industry groups to be skewed in favour of the synthetic diamond trade. Despite this, the commission did not feel there was any necessity at this stage to amend the Diamond Blue Book.

Coloured Gemstone Commission differentiates between opinions and facts on gemstone reports, Do’s and Dont’s and simplified guides

The dilemma of separating empirical facts and the professional opinion of gemmologists on gemstone reports came under focus in the Coloured Stone Commission, which met on the first day of the 2018 CIBJO Congress.

Blockchain presented to CIBJO Congress, as specialist panel discusses how innovative technology may affect the jewellery industry

The objective of the session was to investigate the significance and possible impacts of Blockchain in general, and more specifically in terms of the technology’s applications in the jewellery and gemstone sectors, from perspectives of defending the chain of supply and as a financial tool.

CIBJO unveils Responsible Sourcing Guidance project, standardising manner in which jewellery and gemstone firms should implement supply-chain due diligence

Philip Olden, head of the CIBJO Responsible Sourcing Guidance Project and President of the new Responsible Sourcing Commission, told the congress that the mission is to support and provide guidance to all CIBJO members, especially manufacturers, retailers and distributors.

Special CSR Session at 2018 CIBJO Congress focuses on ethical issues facing companies in the supply chain

‘There is no debate in our industry whether we should act and seen to be acting responsibly, be it to our employees, customers, stakeholders and the wider society socially, environmentally and in terms of the way we do business,’ CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri to congress delegates.

In opening speech to 2018 CIBJO Congress, President Gaetano Cavalieri says jewellery industry must adapt to change

Dramatic changes have taken place in the business, technological and geopolitical environments, and the jewellery and gemstone industries need to adapt in order to survive and prosper, the CIBJO President said.

Responsible sourcing in jewellery and gemstones is the primary focus of Opening Session of 2018 CIBJO Congress

The 2018 CIBJO Congress has opened in Bogotá, Colombia, with CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri dispelling what he described as a popularly-held belief that very little changes. The challenge of the industry’s leadership is to identify change and develop adaptive strategies, he said.

CIBJO President calls for the creation of government-monitored chokepoints, to verify integrity of coloured gemstones entering chain of distribution

Gaetano Cavalieri called for the creation of government monitored chokepoints for the coloured gemstone sector, similar to national Kimberley Process Authorities that verify the identity of rough diamonds entering the global pipeline.

2018 CIBJO Congress opens in Bogotá, Colombia, with strong focus on responsible sourcing in the international jewellery sector

This included the introduction of a Responsible Sourcing Guidance document, which will serve as a reference for responsible sourcing practices developed and applied by industry organisations and commercial bodies worldwide, and will come to have the status of a CIBJO Blue Book. To oversee the process, a Responsible Sourcing Commission was established.

CIBJO Congress 2018 set to kick off in Bogotá, Colombia, on October 15, agendas and related documentation now online

With the 2018 CIBJO Congress set to open in Bogotá, Colombia, agendas and related documentation for the various sessions and meetings that will take place during the event have been posted online for downloading.

2018 CIBJO CONGRESS PHOTO GALLERIES

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