Leading diamond company unveils ‘pure impact’ sustainability report

by Tamanna Bhasin | March 5, 2024 4:41 pm

Surat, India—Shree Ramkrishna Exports[1] (SRK), one of the world’s leading diamond crafting companies, released its inaugural Pure Impact Report, highlighting its commitment to leadership in ESG and corporate social responsibility, acceleration of its net zero goals, and advancing both the Science-Based Targets Initiative[2] (SBTi) and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The report highlights initiatives in education, healthcare, community welfare, employee empowerment, sustainability, and decarbonization from SRK and its philanthropic arm, the SRK Knowledge Foundation[3].

For more than six decades, SRK has gone beyond diamonds, serving people and the planet. With a long-term vision of a zero-emissions India and world, the company has outlined a detailed net zero roadmap aligned with both the UN SDGs and the SBTi. In partnership with the Global Network for Zero[4], SRK has committed to achieve net zero certification for its two flagship diamond crafting facilities, SRK Empire and SRK House, by 2024—a full six years ahead of the goals set within the UN framework. To achieve this, the company is building an off-site solar power plant, electrifying its fleet, planting over 200 acres of trees, and more.

Other achievements and initiatives highlighted in the report include:

• Contributed 4.5 per cent average net profit each year to community welfare, with healthcare initiatives benefiting 3.5 million people.
• Contributed US$3.5 million to solar projects, including solar panels for 1,000 employees, donating 750 rooftop solar panels to veterans, and solarizing the entire Dudhala village of 350 homes.
• Achieving LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of certification, at both SRK House and SRK Empire, with both buildings scoring in the top five for all LEED certified buildings in the world for operational performance.
• Convened the 2023 SRK Sustainability Conclave[5], an inaugural event designed to empower Indian business leaders to implement effective net zero strategies
• Provided over 60,000 students with educational benefits, including 2,500 youth who have benefited from services at SRK’s authorized training centers, SRK Institute of Diamonds and SRK Institute of Skills.
• Created “Footprints,” a traceability feature pioneering ethical mineral mining practices and sustainable sourcing.
• Funded the construction of 100 dams in the Saurashtra region in India.
• Certified membership with the Responsible Jewellery Council[6] (RJC) and its task force to promote alignment with UN SDGs in the diamond sector

“The natural diamond industry has an opportunity to make an incredible impact on the environment and global net zero goals; SRK aims to show how it can be done,” Shri Govind Dholakia, founder and chairman of SRK, says, “We’ve made decarbonization the crown jewel of our efforts because it impacts every facet of our daily lives: infrastructure, health, agriculture, quality of life, and so much more. We’re leveraging every tool at our disposal to protect our staff, the planet, and the people of India and beyond. The work outlined in this report is just the start.”

SRK looks forward to turning towards a net zero future with a deep commitment to the health of the community and planet alike. To learn more about ongoing sustainability initiatives visit https://srk.one/pure-sustainability.html[7].

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/leading-diamond-company-unveils-pure-impact-sustainability-report/

---