International Gemological Institute Sets Out to Become Carbon Neutral

New York—The International Gemological Institute’s United States division is aiming to become carbon neutral.

IGI said once it achieves carbon-neutral status it will be the first gemological laboratory to do so.

“Our environment is an interdependent system where everyone has a role to play, and I am proud of the institute for stepping up and enacting real change,” IGI North America President Ari Levy said. 

“While we are pioneering the practice in our sector, we look forward to others joining us in our environmental stewardship.”

The first step in becoming carbon neutral is for the lab to assess its impact. 

IGI has enlisted SCS Global Services to evaluate the New York lab’s greenhouse gas emissions in the last year, from May 2020 to June 2021. Then, IGI will purchase the necessary amount of carbon offsets to mitigate the environmental burden. 

SCS, an auditing and certification partner aiding businesses in lessening climate impact, will then assess IGI’s carbon neutral program, with carbon neutral certification possible by 2022.

IGI plans to renew its program 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,” Levy said. “Securing carbon offsets reinvests in the future of our community and our planet.”