The development of coherent and well communicated strategies that address environmental and social sustainability issues, responsible sourcing and proper governance are now management requestites in the jewellery gemstone and precious metals industries, Gaetano Cavalieri, President of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) has told an international group of graduate students during a lecture he delivered at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy.

Dr. Cavaleri addressed the group of students, who are enrolled in the Fashion Accessories & Jewellery Design & Management programme of the School of Design of the Politecnico di Milano, one of the world’s leading design institutes and a renowned jewellery industry research and education body, which is offered in cooperation with the Polimi Graduate School of Management at the Politecnico di Milano.

His almost two-hour lecture traced the development of CSR, sustainability and ESG principles in the jewellery industry, and considered how these today need to be incorporated in the business and marketing plans of companies operating in the sector.

“If one is asked why we have committed ourselves to the principles of sustainability, CSR, ESG and responsible sourcing, our first response should always must be because it is the right thing to do,” the CIBJO President said. However, he added, “It also makes good business sense.”