For over 45 years, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) has been a global authority in the jewelry certification and grading industry, and today, its New York office announced efforts to extend its leadership by becoming the first gemological laboratory to commit to becoming carbon neutral certified. In partnership with SCS Global Services, the Institute’s U.S. presence will actively work to offset its carbon emissions by 2022 and achieve carbon neutral certification.

“Our environment is an interdependent system where everyone has a role to play, and I am proud of the Institute stepping up and enacting real change,” said IGI North America President Avi Levy. “While we are pioneering the practice in our sector, we look forward to others joining us in our environmental stewardship.”

IGI New York and SCS Global Services will kick off the partnership by evaluating the Institute’s greenhouse gas emissions from June 2020 to May 2021. Upon thorough evaluation and analysis, both parties will devise an action plan that will solidify a strategy and timeline. Once confirmed, IGI New York will commit to purchasing and retiring carbon offsets to mitigate the greenhouse gas impact. After successful implementation, SCS will complete the assessment that will validate the Institute’s carbon neutral certification, which the gemological laboratory plans to renew annually. 

“For six months, IGI New York will be closely engaged with SCS to learn about our operations and how to effectively become a green location,” continued Levy. “Securing carbon offsets reinvests in the future of our community and our planet.”

Since 1984, SCS has been a trusted, strategic auditing and certification partner for their clients. The team’s talented climate experts have brought environmental and climate solutions to Fortune 500 and start-up companies.