Signet Jewelers Limited yesterday released its first formal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report outlining the various initiatives taken by the Company.

“The Signet Corporate Social Responsibility Report focuses on Signet's four key pillars: People, Responsible Sourcing, Environmental Stewardship and Corporate Giving,” the Company elaborated in a press note, providing the highlights for each segment. 

In order to “encourage and support employees in their health and wellness”, Signet has launched a new "On the Move Challenge" in 2016. “More than 4,200 employees around the globe participated in the programme by setting personal goals, tracking their movement and sharing their successes,” Signet reported.

In 2016, the Company launched the “Signet Responsible Sourcing Protocol for Diamonds”. This requires all suppliers to be “in full auditable compliance in 2017”. 

“The Protocol is another protection to ensure due diligence on the source of all diamonds delivered to Signet,” the Company said. “Signet continues to work with industry, governments, trade associations and NGOs to drive change and ensure supply chain integrity.”

Signet also noted that it is one of four US companies to have reported a conflict-free gold supply chain for three consecutive years to the SEC, as verified through independent audits.

On the environmental front, Signet said, it “has reduced its energy consumption by 24% in offices and retail space and saved over 2 million gallons of water by implementing efficiency measures”.

The Company also has other ongoing initiatives in place including “employing best practices to optimise its transportation services and employing green building principles”.

In a spirit of giving, Signet raised US$ 10 million in 2016 alone through Team Member, Guest and Corporate contributions to support national, regional and local charitable organisations around the world.

“Since 1999, Signet has raised nearly US$ 60 million to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®,” the Company said. “This year, Signet expanded the number of US stores participating in its successful give-at-the-register programme to help reach its goal of US$ 90 million in contributions to St. Jude.”

"We are committed to ensuring our jewellery is sourced and made responsibly, we continue our long tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live and work, we incorporate environmentally responsible best practices; and we champion our Team Members," said Mark Light, Chief Executive Officer of Signet Jewelers.

Eugenia Ulasewicz, Signet Board Member and 2017 Incoming Chair of the CSR Board Committee said, "I would like to thank Dale Hilpert for all that he accomplished as Chair of Signet's CSR Board Committee over the last three years that made this report possible. For Signet, our tradition of corporate social responsibility has always been about doing the right thing for all of our stakeholders. This is a part of our Core Values. We firmly believe that CSR makes our business stronger and more sustainable over the long-term."