INTERVIEWS
MARIANNE ZANI joined Chanel in 2017 as Sourcing and Development Director, and prior to that held various positions at Cartier. She is also a Board Member at the Responsible Jewellery Council.
Sustainability has been rooted in our work for a long time and is integral to our values as a House. Our commitment to sustainability has been formalised through our House Sustainability Ambition, which captures the efforts we are making today and our vision for the future. I would say it is hard to pinpoint a specific moment or impetus, but two examples of progress have always stood out for me. One is the creation of Fondation CHANEL in 2011, an independent charity dedicated to supporting women and girls to be free to shape their own destinies. The other is Chanel’s shift to net-zero targets in 2024, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To date, we are still one of the few luxury companies to commit to these more ambitious climate goals.
CHANEL Watches and Fine Jewelry joined the Responsible Jewellery Council in 2009. The rationale was to certify our practices on responsible jewellery, and the transversal certification of the RJC, addressing all aspects of responsible business including social and environmental sustainability, aligned with this. Our first certification was awarded in 2011 and since then the organisation has became a key forum for us to engage more widely on responsible practices within the industry.
CHANEL Watches and Fine Jewelry has been involved with research on red coral preservation since 2019. This species of coral, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and exceptional by its unique colour, had not been studied in depth prior to this project. The research of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco shows promising discoveries to further our understanding of the species, and also brings to life knowledge that can be useful to advance broader coral studies. This project also helped sensitize the general public on this unique species, notably through the publication of a youth album on red coral.
For me, I go back to recent initiatives and steps we have taken as a company – such as advancing our climate goals and aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. This is something that requires action across teams and activities, and we remain dedicated to the transformational work needed to achieve these goals. I also think back to previous steps we’ve taken, whether that be exploring recycled materials or taking a decision many years ago to cease the use of exotic leather. It is these tangible steps combined with a strong roadmap and vision that inspire change.
The uniqueness of our industry, in terms of variety of actors, stakes and opportunities, is what I keep going back to. It mirrors the complexity of sustainability matters and the fact that there are no “one size fits all” solutions. It is important to have anchors such as the RJC to steer the ecosystem in the right direction and provide forums for the industry to come together and share insights on sustainability.
