What Are Conflict-Free Diamonds?

Since the 2006 blockbuster movie, Blood Diamonds, consumers have been increasingly concerned about the source and manufacturing of diamonds. in the jewelry sector. Unfortunately, “conflict-free” has become little more than a marketing ploy used by mainstream jewelry retailers in an attempt to appeal to conscious consumers and isn’t synonymous with sustainable jewelry.

Conflict-free defined:

Conflict diamonds, also known as ‘blood’ diamonds, are rough diamonds traded by rebel movements or their allies for the financing of armed conflicts historically aimed at undermining legitimate governments. Currently, there are 48 participants in the voluntary Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which was established to regulate the trade of conflict diamonds and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legal diamond market. Companies wanting to export rough diamonds from a country participating in the Process must provide a KPCS certificate to customs.

Unfortunately, the Kimberley Process does not ensure the source of rough diamonds or take into consideration the labor conditions under which the diamond has been mined, cut or polished. Moreover, KPCS is only applicable to diamonds, and does not consider the environmental impact of diamond mining. Therefore, conflict-free is a small step the industry has made toward greater responsibility and, given the narrow definition and the challenge of regulating the KP certification, consumers seeking sustainable jewelry will want to consider a myriad of other factors.

Learn more about ethically sourced diamonds at www.Sulusso.com or by calling 888.777.7976.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Sustainability: Overused Business Jargon or Business Opportunity?

In speaking with prominent business leaders, we have come to realize there are a wide variety of opinions on the topic of sustainability.  Some view business sustainability as re-purposed business jargon, while others stress sustainable development to be the most pressing issue facing their organization. 

The willingness to ask and address some basic questions often differentiates business views and set varying business sustainability efforts apart.  Leading companies are adopting more comprehensive definitions of “sustainability” and implementing business sustainability strategies that run consistently through their core functions.  These organizations are chasing business sustainability value:

•    Corporate commitment to sustainability to minimize business risk.

•    Corporate commitment to sustainability to protect and differentiate business reputation.

•    Corporate commitment to sustainability to increase sales and ensure market position.

•    Corporate commitment to sustainability to ensure viable operations.

•    Corporate commitment to sustainability to ensure sustainable supply.

At a minimum, companies are now leveraging sustainability concepts to address their business exposure. The ability to manage and mitigate business risk often depends on the availability and access exposure.  Being able to sift through what is important and what is not can be a determining factor in transforming a good decision into business turning point.

These sustainable business strategies enable executives to focus on more than just cost and risk management.  They provide visibility to leaders that their response to environmental and social pressures for sustainable business practices can ultimately affect company profitability.  When you think of it, the title is really not that important.  It’s whether or not business sustainability is occurring is what is important.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

The Evolution of Enterprise Risk Management: Case Study – The City of Calgary

TOPIC: The Evolution of Enterprise Risk Management: Case Study – The City of Calgary
Plenary Session 4 at Intergovernmental Forum on Risk Management 2010
WHEN: Wednesday, September 15 at 11:45 a.m
WHERE: Ottawa
Priority Code: 3BL1

Featuring:
Stuart de Vries, Consultant, Integrated Risk Management, City Manager’s Office, The City of Calgary

In late 2009, Calgary’s integrated risk management area underwent many changes during a broader organizational restructure. Stuart will examine the results of this change and the evolution of risk management at the city, including:

• removing the negative perception of integrated risk management and highlighting the upside opportunities of risk

• getting contributors out of their operational silos

• opportunities and threats, and management response

• providing greater “line of sight” on council and corporate objectives to planners, reporters, knowledge workers, etc.  

• minimizing the need for stand-alone risk champions

• bringing together ‘synthesizers’ from across the organization to interpret, summarize, and package risk and front-line operational staff input into decision making

For more information on this session, or to see a copy of the full agenda, please visit our web site, or contact Joel Elliott at elliott@conferenceboard.ca. Please quote priority code 3BL1 when registering.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Industry Facts About Traditionally Sourced Jewelry

The jewelry industry has operated in much the same way for decades. At Sulusso, we are working to raise awareness about current practices while offering sustainable jewelry solutions for conscious consumers. Below is a summary of statistics and facts surrounding traditional jewelry.

Metal Mining

• 22 of 22 metal mines investigated by Earthworks were found to be contributing to water contamination
• A typical gold ring results in 20 tons of mine waste
• Cyanide and Mercury are typically used to separate gold from the ore
• Metal mining is responsible for 96% of arsenic emissions and 76% percent of lead emissions in the US
• Metal mining is the most toxic polluter in the United States

Unstable Governments

• The Democratic Republic of Congo produces more than $2 billion of diamonds annually, but 90% of its population (60 million people) lives in poverty
• 70% of the world’s gold comes from developing countries such as Guatemala and Ghana
• Nearly 2 million children work in mines around the world. Thousands more children work in cutting and polishing factories
• Burma exports 80-90% of the world’s rubies and jadeite
• Madagascar produces 50% of the world’s sapphires
• Globally, metal mining employs less than 1% of the workforce but consumes as much as 10% of energy

Diamonds

• Each diamond mine consumes 13 million gallons of diesel fuel annually to power generators
• Genuine diamonds created in a lab are optically, chemically and physically identical to their mined counterparts
• Most diamonds marketed as Canadian Diamonds are mined there, but then sent to India and Africa for cutting and polishing
• Of the four major mines in Canada, only one is majority owned by a Canadian company
• 65% of the world’s diamonds are mined in Africa (annual value of $8.5 billion)
• 46% of Angolan diamond miners are under the age of 16
• Certified conflict-free does not mean that the diamond is “clean.” It is still marked by severe social and environmental impact. It just hasn’t been sold to fund armed conflict in a developing country

Visit www.sulusso.com or call us at 888.777.7976 to learn more.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

What Is Sustainable Fine Jewelry?

At Sulusso, we believe that the jewelry sector (a $75 billion industry in the US alone) has the power to lift communities and whole nations out of poverty. By supporting designers committed to creating jewelry made with minimal social and environmental impact, you are contributing to positive change. As such, Sulusso is working to expand its offering of designer jewelry that may be deemed sustainable as defined by the following:

Materials

• Uses recycled, reclaimed, or fair-trade metals
• Purchases gems from artisanal miners or companies that adhere to fair trade principles
• Uses reclaimed or estate diamonds and gems
• Uses ethically-sourced diamonds and gems
• Uses diamonds and gems that are traceable from mine to market
• Buys locally sourced materials when possible

Labor

• Pays fair wages based in local economy
• Offers a healthy work environment
• Employs only age appropriate people based on the culture

Shipping

• Uses recycled packaging
• Works to reduce amount of packaging
• Minimizes product shipping

Operations

• Uses recycled or eco-friendly paper
• Minimizes amount of printed materials
• Recycles and disposes of waste properly
• Works to reduce energy usage
• Supports other local and/or sustainable businesses
• Minimizes travel (other than by food, bike or skateboard)
• Donates time and resources to community development organizations
• Works to become more socially and environmentally responsible
• Is ethical in dealings with all stakeholders

Visit www.sulusso.com or call us at 888.777.7976 to learn more.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily