NO MORE EXCUSES:
WHY NET-ZERO MUST DEFINE THE FUTURE
‘The future of ESG leadership will belong to organizations that can demonstrate measurable outcomes.
Stakeholders expect more than promises. They want proof. ‘
A member of the World Diamond Council’s Kimberley Process Task Force, Dr. Nirav Mandir is a seasoned human resources and sustainability professional with almost two decades of experience in the natural diamond industry.
As Chief Human Capital & Sustainability Officer at Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (SRK), one of the world’s largest diamond manufacturing and export conglomerates, he shoulders strategic responsibilities for global HR, investor relations, sustainability, ESG and CSR.
JUNE 30, 2026
I have long believed that true leadership begins when excuses end. It requires the courage to challenge convention, embrace accountability, and set a higher standard for others to follow. Those organizations that shape the future are rarely the ones that wait for change. They create it.
Today, the natural diamond industry stands at such a moment. For generations, the gemstones have represented humanity’s most meaningful milestones including love, commitment, achievement, and legacy. Their value extends far beyond rarity or craftsmanship – they symbolize permanence, trust, and enduring significance.
Yet the expectations surrounding such symbols are evolving. Consumers, investors, regulators, and also the relevant communities increasingly want to know not only what a product represents, but also how it was produced. They expect transparency, accountability, and a demonstrated commitment to environmental and social responsibility. They also expect sustainability goals to evolve. That evolution today is defined as NET ZERO.
This is why sustainability is no longer a peripheral issue for our industry. It is a defining business imperative that will shape trust, competitiveness, and long-term growth for decades to come.
Photo credit: Ian Panelo on Pexels.com.
A challenge and an opportunity
Across industries, expectations are changing. Investors are demanding greater transparency. Governments are introducing more rigorous reporting requirements. Consumers, and particularly of younger generations, increasingly want products that align with their values. In short, they are looking beyond quality and craftsmanship to understand the environmental and social impact behind the products they purchase.
I believe this presents both a challenge and an opportunity for our natural diamond industry. The challenge is that both diamond mining and manufacturing requires consierable energy, water, and resources.
Global supply chains create complexity, and accountability demands continue to grow. As an industry, we must continuously work to not only reduce our environmental footprint but to fully give it back while supporting the people and communities that make our success possible.
As an optimist, I believe the opportunity for us is even greater. Natural diamonds already tell a unique story. Formed over billions of years beneath the Earth’s surface, they are among nature’s most extraordinary creations. By pairing that heritage with measurable sustainability performance, our industry has the opportunity to become a global leader in responsible luxury.
Energy, emissions, waste and water
At Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK), we believe sustainability is one in the same with business performance.
We became the first diamond crafting company to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative and aligned our business with all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Most significantly, we achieved a climate-positive diamond crafting process, meaning our operations now maintain a negative carbon footprint per carat produced.
Our two flagship facilities, SRK House and SRK Empire have been certified as net-zero across energy and emissions, and we are currently working toward certification on waste and water with Global Network for Zero (GNFZ).
While we are proud of these achievements, we do not view it as a finish line. Rather, it demonstrates what is possible when sustainability is embedded into business strategy rather than treated as a mere compliance exercise.
Photo credit: Abhinav Bhardwaj on Pexels.com.
Proof and not promises
The future of ESG leadership will belong to organizations that can demonstrate measurable outcomes. Stakeholders expect more than promises. They want proof. They want us to meet today’s time, not yesterday’s yardstick.
For the natural diamond industry, this shift represents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen trust and reinforce the value of natural diamonds in an increasingly conscious marketplace.
But no company can achieve this transformation alone.
Advancing today’s definition of sustainability across our industry will require collaboration among producers, manufacturers, retailers, certification bodies, and industry organizations. By sharing best practices, embracing innovation, and raising expectations together, we can accelerate progress for the entire sector.
The legacy we leave behind
The next chapter for the natural diamond industry should not be defined by core compliances. It should be defined by net-zero leadership. We have an opportunity to demonstrate that luxury and responsibility are not competing priorities. They are complementary ones.
If we embrace that opportunity, the legacy we leave behind will extend far beyond the diamonds we craft. It will be measured by the positive impact we create for our people, our communities, and our planet.
The question before us is no longer whether net-zero will shape the future of the natural diamond industry. It already is. The real question is whether we will lead that future or allow others to define it for us.
My call to action is simple: Let us move beyond pledges and promises. Let us commit to measurable outcomes, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement. Let us invest in the technologies, partnerships, and innovations that will accelerate our transition to a net-zero future.
Most importantly, let us challenge ourselves to raise the standard for what leadership looks like in our industry. The companies that act today will earn the trust of tomorrow’s consumers, strengthen the resilience of their businesses, and help secure the future of natural diamonds for generations to come.
The future of our industry will not be determined by the challenges we face today. It will be shaped by the courage we show in addressing them.
The time for erudite excuses has already passed. The time for leaping leadership is the pristine present.