New York jeweller Tiffany appoints first chief sustainability officer

Prestigious New York jeweler Tiffany & Co has appointed the company’s first-ever chief sustainability officer with its stated aim “to elevate the company’s sustainability strategy and accelerate progress against its social and environmental business objectives”

Anisa Kamadoli Costa, who previously served as vice president, global sustainability and corporate responsibility at Tiffany & Co., was appointed to the newly created position and will report directly to Tiffany’s CEO. She will retain her position as chairman and president of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation.

“Tiffany & Co. is not only one of the world’s most important luxury houses but also a leader in sustainable luxury,” said Frederic Cumenal, ceo. “Anisa is an important voice for Tiffany on issues relating to corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, and appointing her to this new position underscores the strategic importance of the CSR programme to the Tiffany brand.”

Over the last 12 years, Costa has played an integral role in developing Tiffany & Co.’s corporate responsibility programme. Through her efforts, the company says that it has embraced a collaborative and stakeholder-driven approach to sustainability that includes engaging with civil society, mining companies, the luxury industry and local communities to shape best practices across the sector.

Under her guidance, the company has increased public awareness about environmental concerns such as the proposed gold and copper mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. In addition, Costa established the company’s CSR metrics programme and process of external reporting, which has gained wide recognition for its quality and transparency. Tiffany’s latest sustainability report will be released this summer.