RJC, Luxury Brands Launch Environmental Initiative

RAPAPORT... The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has partnered with Kering and Cartier to challenge companies to meet environmental targets."Business can be a force for positive change and impact by supporting a global economy that protects people, the planet and the natural systems that sustain us," said RJC executive director Iris Van der Vecken. "Business as usual is no longer an option. The RJC is determined to help business be a force for that change through transformative partnerships."The three have formed the "Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030," which aims to create a collaborative industry effort to reduce carbon emissions, protect the environment and biodiversity, and implement the sustainability goals set out by the United Nations and the RJC, the council said Wednesday. The objective is to accomplish this by 2030. The project is open to any company willing to work toward building climate resilience, preserving resources and fostering inclusiveness."It is our responsibility, as leading luxury players, to initiate the changes that are needed to protect our planet," said Jean-Fran??ois Palus, group managing director of Kering, which owns jewelry maisons Boucheron, Pomellato and Qeelin. "We have long been convinced that only collective action can make the difference to transform our industry for the better."Image: A Cartier store in Singapore. (Shutterstock)