The De Beers Group has published its 2024 sustainability report, showing climate progress and provenance initiatives.
The report finds progress in the group’s key focus areas – climate, livelihoods, nature, and provenance.
These were the areas identified as the group’s priorities in a mid-term review of its Building Forever sustainability framework last year.
Specific improvements have been made in the way of renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and diamond traceability.
On climate, De Beers said it has cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 7% since 2021 and is on track with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-validated goals to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030.
Other milestones for the group in 2024 included securing financing for wind and solar plants in South Africa, continuing work on Botswana’s Mmadinare solar project, and launching alternative fuel studies across multiple mining operations.
From an economic perspective, the group contributed $2.9bn in tax and socio-economic value to its host countries during the year, alongside reporting its best ever safety performance.
Social impact programmes were also expanded such as the EntreprenHER initiative, which has now reached 3,100 women, and the GirlEng programme which has supported over 6,500 girls with STEM education opportunities since 2019.
On nature, De Beers reportedly managed more than 375,000 acres of land for conservation and advanced projects ranging from rhino relocation in southern Africa to seabird rescue facilities in Namibia.
Its Okavango Eternal partnership with National Geographic also continued to safeguard water sources in Botswana.
Perhaps most significant for De Beers was progress on provenance. The Tracr blockchain platform has now registered nearly three million diamonds since 2022, with major producers ODC and Mountain Province joining the system.
Tracr is also providing country-of-origin information on all De Beers-sourced rough diamonds above one carat and enabling verification from rough-to-polished.
Building on this momentum, De Beers has unveiled ORIGIN, a new consumer-facing polished diamond programme.
The initiative allows participating retailers to offer stones that are mined by De Beers, tracked on Tracr, and accompanied by detailed provenance and impact stories designed to resonate with ethically minded buyers.
Sandrine Conseiller, CEO of Brands & Diamond Desirability at De Beers Group, said: “At De Beers, we believe a diamond’s journey should be as meaningful as its beauty.
“Thanks to our provenance platforms like Tracr and the consumer-facing experiences we’re building, we can share these stories with confidence.
“When someone chooses a De Beers natural diamond, they’re not only celebrating a personal milestone – they are helping shape a brighter future for the people and places behind it.”