Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) is celebrating the winners and finalists of the Sustainability Awards 2024 by JWA (Jewellery World Awards) at its Fair Reception this evening at the Grand Foyer of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Organised by Informa Markets Jewellery, the awards programme celebrates outstanding sustainability efforts implemented by enterprises in the fine jewellery, gemstone and related industries. This year’s Sustainability Awards is being presented to seven winners. Two outstanding entries have also earned the newly introduced Jury’s Special Recognition Award: Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd for Environmental Stewardship and Vector Trading for Community Engagement. The awardees and 13 finalists represent a diverse range of countries and regions, namely Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, the US and Vietnam.

Each of our Sustainability Award winners and finalists has a unique story to tell. However, they share one thing in common – their actions, regardless of scale or scope, contribute to making a real difference in the future of our planet, “said Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery. “Our awardees vary from companies with thousands of employees to a gemstone dealer with just five workers, demonstrating that the fundamental principles of sustainable development are achievable for businesses of all sizes.”

Environmental Stewardship: VGL & Shop LC Global Inc

VGL & Shop LC Global Inc, a vertically integrated retailer with a strong multichannel presence, has demonstrated a robust strategy in transitioning to renewable energy. The company’s solar power capacity now stands at 3.23 MW, achieved through a combination of ground-mounted and rooftop installations that not only meets operational energy needs but also contributes to substantial reductions in carbon emissions.

Additionally, VGL’s facility in Jaipur, India achieved the “Net Zero Energy Building” certification by the Indian Green Building Council(IGBC), a testament to its sustainable design and operation. The company also launched conservation programmes focusing on rainwater harvesting, waste management, tree cultivation and the Miyawaki forestry method, among others.

Social Empowerment: Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company(PNJ)

Vietnam-based jewellery manufacturer and retailerPhu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ)embraces an organisational culture of diversity,equity and inclusion (DEI). Proudly championinggender equality and representation, PNJ’sworkforce is predominantly composed of femaleemployees at 61.3 per cent, with 40 per centoccupying leadership roles. Additionally, the boardexemplifies this commitment, with five out of ninemembers being female.

Engaging actively with community organisationsand stakeholders, the company implementsinitiatives aimed at empowering marginalisedgroups, bridging social disparities and offeringsupport to individuals facing economic challenges.

Manufacturing Innovation: Shenzhen Shangshan Intelligence Co Ltd

Shenzhen Shangshan Intelligence Co Ltd of Chinastands out for its pioneering Gold Recycle SmartTerminal. The self-service station, which functionslike a vending machine, leverages artificialintelligence technologies to automate the goldrecycling and recovery process. Customers onlyneed to place their jewellery items into the unit,which identifies and evaluates the gold’s finenessand weight. The terminal will then melt the goldfor recycling, with instant payment deposited intocustomers’ bank accounts or digital wallets.

While there is limited evidence linking increasedrecycled volumes to a reduction in primarymining, the terminal impresses by cutting theenvironmental footprints associated with the goldrecovery process.

Furthermore, this advancement holds significant implications for promoting smarter and cleaner circularity, as well as improving efficiencies, particularly within the Chinese market.

Community Engagement: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group

As a leading Chinese jeweller, Chow Tai Fook is committed to fostering communities through volunteer work, donation and sponsored initiatives and social innovation projects, including education and talent development programmes. Noteworthy collaborations include partnering with The Chinese University of Hong Kong for the Ancient Gold Techniques Research project since 2014, hosting the “Boutique of Mine” Competition and the Next Producers Inheritance Challenge since 2020, and establishing Loupe – a design and craftsmanship incubation hub from 2018 to 2024 that nurtured 62global designers-in-residence.

Actively involved in community engagement, the brand donated the entire operating capital to Tsinghua University for the establishment of the Greater Bay Area Digital Economy Research Center to support innovation and talent development. Additionally, it established the ‘Cheng Kar-Shun Champion Development Foundation’ to support Beijing Sport University in cultivating top sports talents.

Chow Tai Fook also drives community projects like “Do Good – Caring Action,” extending support to underprivileged families by offering essential services. What sets this endeavour apart is Chow Tai Fook’s capability to mobilise volunteer support within 24 hours.

Community Engagement: Smiling Rocks Ltd

Smiling Rocks Ltd has allocated 3 per cent of its jewellery and 1 per cent of its loose diamondB2B business revenues to support four key areas: Animal/Wildlife Protection, Medical Support, Education Support and Environmental Protection. An outstanding initiative by Smiling Rocks is the Digital Library project, which successfully established eight digital libraries since 2022, benefiting over 1,500 students in rural areas and underdeveloped cities in India. Additionally, the company empowered approximately 100women by offering them opportunities to learn essential skills for employment. Furthermore, through collaboration with the Smile Network, Smiling Rocks played an essential role in providing life-changing cleft lip surgery to children in disadvantaged communities worldwide.

Sustainability Leadership: Fine Jewellery Manufacturing Ltd

Fine Jewellery Manufacturing Ltd of India prioritises ethical practices every step of the way, guided by the principles of the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – and the 3Ps – Planet, People and Product.

The company is committed to sourcing 100 percent recycled precious metals through Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)-certified metal refineries, has transitioned to 100 per cent green electricity directly from the grid (not by purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates), has shifted from traditional packaging materials to eco-friendly alternatives such as cardboard boxes, biodegradable plastic and eco-friendly adhesive tapes, and has reduced its operational carbon footprint from 793 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (MTCO2e) to40 MTCO2e (compared to the base year 2020 –2021) by using renewable energy. By 2027, Fine Jewellery aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all aspects of its operations.

Sustainability Leadership: Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd (SRK)

Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd (SRK) is the first diamond company to embrace the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) as a core component of its sustainability strategy. This commitment involves setting science-backed emission reduction targets and striving to achieve net-zero emissions for its diamond crafting facilities by the end of 2024.SRK’s focus on reducing carbon emissions is at the heart of its ongoing efforts. Of particular note are SRK’s flagship facilities, SRK Empire and SRK House, both holding LEED Platinum certifications. Through continuous enhancements and real-time monitoring of energy usage, water consumption, waste management, transportation practices and occupant satisfaction, these buildings consistently rank among the world’s highest-performing LEED certified structures, surpassing thousands of certified buildings globally.