SHOW DAILY by JNA • 14 NEWS JewelleryNet.com Day 3 • 18 September 2024 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. 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 retailer Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ) embraces an organisational culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Proudly championing gender equality and representation, PNJ’s workforce is predominantly composed of female employees at 61.3 per cent, with 40 per cent occupying leadership roles. Additionally, the board exemplifies this commitment, with five out of nine members being female. Engaging actively with community organisations and stakeholders, the company implements initiatives aimed at empowering marginalised groups, bridging social disparities and offering support to individuals facing economic challenges. Manufacturing Innovation: Shenzhen Shangshan Intelligence Co Ltd Shenzhen Shangshan Intelligence Co Ltd of China stands out for its pioneering Gold Recycle Smart Terminal. The self-service station, which functions like a vending machine, leverages artificial intelligence technologies to automate the gold recycling and recovery process. Customers only need to place their jewellery items into the unit, which identifies and evaluates the gold’s fineness and weight. The terminal will then melt the gold for recycling, with instant payment deposited into customers’ bank accounts or digital wallets. While there is limited evidence linking increased recycled volumes to a reduction in primary mining, the terminal impresses by cutting the environmental footprints associated with the gold recovery 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 62 global 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 KarShun Champion Development Foundation’ to support Beijing Sport University in cultivating top sports talents. “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.” Continued on page 18 Sustainability heroes in the limelight Winners of the Sustainability Awards 2024 by JWA Award Category Recipient Environmental Stewardship VGL & Shop LC Global Inc Social Empowerment Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ) Manufacturing Innovation Shenzhen Shangshan Intelligence Co Ltd Community Engagement Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Smiling Rocks Ltd Sustainability Leadership Fine Jewellery Manufacturing Ltd Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd (SRK)
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