Australia’s leading fine jewellery retailer, Michael Hill has announced The Michael Hill Foundation as part of its commitment to its 2030 sustainability goals.
The Michael Hill Foundation has two key philanthropic focus areas: Empowering Women, aimed to support disadvantaged women in the markets in which the company operates, and Nature Restoration which ensures a positive contribution towards the restoration and conservation of the natural environment.
Michael Hill CEO, Daniel Bracken explained that the targets set to support its various charity partners, currently including Dress for Success (AU), The Period Purse (CA), Women’s Refuge (NZ), the Collective Good Foundation (India), and One Tree Planted – indicate the company’s firm commitment to effecting change.
“We are extremely proud that we have established The Michael Hill Foundation and our ongoing commitment to contribute to empower more than 100,000 women by 2030,” he said.
“We recognise the impact our industry plays on the environment, and we are choosing to focus on sourcing our products to reduce as much impact as possible. Our commitment to planting up to one million trees throughout Australia, New Zealand and Canada, our key operational markets, by 2030 is another way we can make a difference for our planet.
“We have the ambition to be one of the most sustainable jewellery brands in the world and we are proud to be progressing our goal.”
Last year, Michael Hill reduced scope 1 emissions by 39%, reduced office waste by 65% and launched its Re:Cycle initiative in Australia – a digitally enabled gold recycling program that encourages customers to recycle gold jewellery pieces in exchange for a Michael Hill e-gift card.
Michael Hill strategy manager and head of sustainability, Kerrie Hockless added, “The launch of The Michael Hill Foundation is the next step in our commitment to a more sustainable future for our planet and a strong focus on empowering women – a cause incredibly close to our brand.”
Michael Hill is set to achieve these targets by donating a portion of sales of selected jewellery to its charity partners. $20 from each of its Cultured Freshwater Pearl Studs and $50 from its Diamond Serendipity Necklace sold will be donated to Dress for Success in Australia and Women’s Refuge in New Zealand, as well as new partnerships with The Period Purse in Canada and Collective Good Foundation in Danta, a key region for diamond production in India.
Any jewellery piece purchased from the LAB. Collection of certified sustainable and climate-neutral laboratory-grown diamonds will ensure the Michael Hill Foundation plants up to 10 trees per product with the help of One Tree Planted.