Vancouver-based Crossworks Manufacturing Limited, the largest manufacturer of branded Canadian diamonds in the world will soon be recognised as a carbon neutral company, CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation, has announced. The recognition will be awarded under the framework of CIBJO's Jewellery Industry Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative.

CIBJO launched its GHG Measurement Initiative in 2014. Under it, companies that become a part of the programme are invited to work with Carbon Expert and an environmental consulting organisation. They are assisted in complying with ISO Standard 14064, specifying how to quantify and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals, and apply ISO Standard 20121, which offers guidance and best practice for controlling the environmental impact of events.

Dylan Dix, Group Executive, Marketing & External Relations, Crossworks, said, "Our own consumer research has confirmed the millennia consumers are particularly concerned about climate change, and, as a progressive forward-looking company, we felt it was absolutely right for us to make every effort to do what we can to negate our environmental impact. Since starting the project, having a sustainability policy, and dealing with business, greenhouse gas emissions has become an intrinsic part of business management."

Jonathan Kendall, President of CIBJO´s Marketing and Education Commission, which has spearheaded the GHG initiative, said, "Over the coming months and years, it is clear there will be an increased focus on the environment, as both the USA and China ratified the Paris Agreement on greenhouse gas emissions in the past week. This is the right time for retailers, brands and their suppliers to adopt a proactive approach."

He confirmed that there are a large number of organisations working with CIBJO on achieving carbon neutrality.

CIBJO itself has been measuring and offseting its carbon emissions since 2013. The 2015 CIBJO Congress in Salvador, Brazil, was the first major jewellery industry event ever to be fully carbon neutral, and the upcoming 2016 CIBJO Congress in Yerevan, Armenia, scheduled to take place October 26-28, will be carbon neutral as well.