We have just returned from our fourth member workshop with over 70 leaders of Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030. We are truly grateful to members, Italpreziosi for the experience. Our deepest thanks to Ivana Ciabatti, Alice Vanni, and the team for an unforgettable experience in Arezzo.
This milestone gathering took us deep into our commitments—hearing from our partners and hosting breakout sessions to delve into the key pillars of climate, biodiversity and inclusion, as well as human rights due diligence and tracking our individual and collective progress. Our members are hard at work, moving the needle on sustainability.
The workshop’s unique setting at Rondine Cittadella della Pace, an organization dedicated to reducing armed conflicts globally, added a profound dimension to our discussions.
It is an organization committed to reducing armed conflicts around the world and spreading its own method for the creative transformation of conflicts in every context. Its objective is contributing to a planet free from armed clashes, in which every person has the tools to manage conflicts in a creative and positive way.
It is a place where people are regenerated, so that they can become leaders of themselves and their own communities, in the search for the common good. The project that gave rise and inspiration to all of us is the Studentato Internazionale – World House: it hosts young people who come from countries that are the scene of armed conflicts or post-conflict and helps them to discover the human being in their enemy, through the difficult and surprising effort that comes from living together daily.
We listened to the vision of Franco Vaccari, President and Founder of Rondine Cittadella della Pace, and different students from conflict areas. This special place of Purpose was the perfect setting to encourage our members to be even more motivated to accelerate efforts.
Now is the time to lead by example. Our collective journey toward sustainability requires us to rethink value for all stakeholders. Together we can collectively shape the leaders of tomorrow. The time is now.
We were delighted to be hosted by Gucci in Florence on November 8th for a fireside chat with Nevio Benvenuto, Gucci Head of CSR & Sustainability, Francesca Manfredi, Kering Head of Sustainable Innovation Watches & Jewellery, Kal Menia, Gucci Head of Production & Product Care. Moderated by WJI 2030 Executive Director and Secretary General, Iris Van der Veken, the discussion revolved around the key topics of climate, circularity, and inclusiveness. As leaders in the sector, we appreciated diving deeper into Gucci’s journey to generate positive impact for people and our planet. As a member of WJI 2030, Gucci has made its commitment to driving measurable progress in sustainability paramount.
Nevio Benvenuto spoke on Gucci’s journey towards reducing environmental impact, “We are focused on designing out waste and pollution while enhancing durability, reuse, recycling and second life of our collections”
Francesca Manfredi addressed sustainability challenges in the sector and how circularity fits into the watch and jewellery industry.
“Only few years ago, a strap made out of scraps was not even imaginable for a luxury watch brand. Today it sounds obvious to have it in collection, marking how fast consumers needs are evolving. Circularity is a long, complex but fascinating process that requires a structured collaboration between brands and suppliers.”
Kal Menia discussed in detail the importance of circularity in Gucci’s strategy, “long-lasting quality and durability are significant assets in promoting circularity when it comes to products. Craftsmanship and retaining luxury’s inherent value coupled with encouraging repair and reuse to extend products’ lifespans ultimately fosters customer loyalty.”
Iris then spoke on gender equality, “When we look at the global watch and Jewellery industry, we know from research that 90% of consumer behaviour is influenced by women. Yet, when we look at the 2030 agenda, we are almost 300 years behind.
As actors in the luxury sector, we must concretely work to activate a transformative, inclusive journey for women and see that DEI becomes a strategic imperative for CEOs.”
Thank you to Antonella Centra, Marie-Claire Daveu and Gucci and Kering for being agents of change, sharing their work and inspiring us as we come together in Italy for our fourth member workshop. Cyrille Vigneron, thank you for your continuous leadership, support, and encouragement.
In Photo: WJI 2030 Members Gather at the Gucci Archives in Florence, Italy for a Panel on Climate, Circularity, and Inclusiveness on Nov. 8, 2023