RJC explores the future of sustainability
This weekend, RJC returned to Baselworld 2018 to host an industry panel to discuss the future of sustainability and CSR in the jewellery industry. Edward Johnson, RJC’s Director of Business Development opened the session by introducing attendees to the RJC’s latest brand video, followed by a brief update on the work and progress of the RJC since Baselworld 2017, highlighting a 25% increase in membership and a significant increase in the number of employees covered and protected under RJC certification globally.
It demonstrated the demand and increasing need for the RJC’s work towards a responsible worldwide supply chain in the jewellery industry. Andrew Bone, RJC’s Executive Director took the stage to welcome industry experts, Diana Cullilas, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at RJC certified member company, Chopard and Rachael Taylor, a jewellery industry journalist and regular contributor to a wealth of titles including The Financial Times, Retail Jeweller and Rapaport.
Streamed live on the RJC’s YouTube channel, the discussion explored the growing increase in expectation from consumers, NGOs and civil society for the industry to be more transparent about their sustainability practices in relation to people, planet and profits. Rachael began the conversation by providing insight into how businesses in the jewellery industry are currently communicating their sustainability efforts and highlighted a millennial consumer-demand evolution today that increasingly encourages businesses to be more transparent about their responsible business practices.
She also emphasised the challenges some businesses have in setting the tone for their sustainability communications and how brands, such as Chopard, are helping to pave the way for the industry on how to approach conversations with various stakeholders on CSR and sustainability issues.
Diana provided insight into how a 160-year-old brand such as Chopard is approaching sustainability communications and highlighted the importance of actively engaging employees in these initiatives to improve morale and retention rates. She stated there is an increasing trend of employees feeling the urge and need to be able to identify with an employer that share their views and values on sustainability.
Furthermore, Diana confirmed how RJC certification has contributed to Chopard being able to assess and ensure that the brand and its suppliers remain aligned with the highest ethical, environmental and social standards as set by the RJC.
The discussion concluded with questions from the floor addressing several topics raised, including the current channels of communication businesses are using to articulate their CSR efforts online as well as tactics and ways of involving employees and other internal stakeholders in becoming responsible business practice 'evangelists'.
If you were not able to join us at Baselworld or able to tune into the live streaming service on the day, we have good news because you can now watch the video of the session: A big thank you to our guest speakers, guests in the room and guests online who joined the RJC to talk about this very important subject in the industry!
We look forward to continuing our work with our members and the industry to help us achieve our vision of a responsible worldwide supply chain.
