Ethical Stewardship
In recognition of consumer concerns about potential labor abuses, “blood diamonds” associated the financing of violent conflicts, and environmental impacts, Sustainability Rated Diamond producers and handlers are adhering to 12 principles of ethical stewardship as they work to meet the comprehensive environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria to become certified to the SCS 007 Certification Standard for Jewelry Sustainability – Sustainability Rated Diamonds.
Ensuring that diamond producers and handlers conduct their businesses with the highest degree of integrity, in compliance with applicable laws and international agreements, these twelve core ethical stewardship principles include:
- Business Integrity
- Human Rights
- Worker Rights
- Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Security
- Community Engagement
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Management of Water and Energy Resources
- Minimization of Emissions, Effluents, Wastes, Noise and Vibration
- Ecosystem Protection
- Reclamation and Closure
Other Key Pillars of Sustainability Rated Diamonds
Origin
Traceability
Sustainability Rated Diamonds are tracked through a verified origin traceability process that provides 99.9% accuracy of the origin of each diamond through its entire chain of custody, from producer to point of sale.
Climate
Neutrality
Sustainability Rated Diamonds are certified on their journey toward achieving full Climate Neutrality – produced in a manner that mitigates both current annual climate pollutants and past (“legacy”) greenhouse gas emissions still affecting the climate.
Sustainable
Production
Sustainability Rated Diamond producers are committed to the principle of doing no harm to humans or environment, and are actively working to avoid, eliminate or offset any impacts that might be associated with the production process.
Sustainability
Investments
Sustainability Rated Diamond producers engage in sustainability investments that help uplift artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) and othervulnerable communities, clean the air, protect the climate and protect endangered watersheds and ecosystems.