The Global Network for Zero (GNFZ) has been recognized as the 2025 Environment + Energy Leader Awards Program winner for groundbreaking work accelerating decarbonization through its independent net zero certification. As the world’s leading net zero certification body, GNFZ works across industries to remove the barriers that slow climate progress — offering buildings (both new and existing at the design, construction, and operational stages), portfolios, and businesses, with incremental pathways to decarbonize and reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. This award celebrates GNFZ’s pioneering partnership with Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. (SRK), one of the world’s largest diamond crafting companies, to achieve full net zero certification across SRK’s flagship facilities — six years ahead of schedule.
The project centered on a bold ambition: to help SRK (valued at $1.8 billion) achieve net zero across its operations and supply chain. This was no small feat given the diamond industry’s traditionally high carbon footprint, from energy-intensive manufacturing to complex global supply chains. By partnering with GNFZ, SRK achieved certification for SRK House and SRK Empire and reached both net zero energy and emissions in 2024, moving beyond their initial 2030 target. Now, they are pursuing net zero water and waste certifications where they will try and tackle their operations as a business
This achievement not only set a new benchmark for sustainability within the global diamond industry but demonstrated GNFZ’s unique, actionable approach to climate leadership that directly addresses Scope 3 emissions, an often-overlooked but critical factor in true decarbonization.
GNFZ’s work with SRK offers a scalable model for the diamond industry and beyond, proving that even carbon-intensive sectors can transition to net zero through innovation, transparency, and collaboration.
By focusing on incremental certification, GNFZ provided SRK with a clear roadmap, ongoing support, and practical solutions, allowing them to progress step by step. This flexibility enabled faster action, aligning sustainability efforts with SRK’s broader business goals and reinforcing the company’s ESG leadership role in the global diamond sector.
GNFZ guided SRK through a series of transformative initiatives:
These impacts are a testament to GNFZ’s ability to drive holistic, science-backed climate action across its entire value chain: a critical differentiator in the crowded space of sustainability certifications.
GNFZ’s collaboration came with room for changes and adjustments. SRK originally considered relying on carbon offsets, ultimately, GNFZ’s leadership and SRK’s executive team decided to implement permanent carbon removal strategies and pursue comprehensive certification. This allowed SRK to set a higher standard, with their Founder and Chairman Shri Govind Dholakia calling on India’s business community to follow SRK’s example and aim for net zero by 2047, in honor of India’s 100th year of independence.
One challenge was addressing Scope 3 emissions, often seen as too complex to tackle. GNFZ’s Scope 3-centric methodology proved invaluable, with supplier engagement frameworks, data tracking systems, and targeted reduction strategies allowing SRK to account for and actively reduce emissions across its entire value chain.
GNFZ’s approach extended well beyond technical certification. By integrating philanthropy, education, and community impact into the process, GNFZ helped SRK align environmental progress with social responsibility, demonstrating how net zero strategies can empower communities while reducing emissions. SRK’s investments in solarizing entire villages, providing free healthcare to over 3.5 million people, and delivering educational benefits to 60,000 students — paired well with SRK’s CSR and ESG strategies of aligning themselves with the U.N. SDGs.
This project is more than a single success story. It’s a blueprint for how GNFZ’s certification model can transform industries. Not just diamonds, but manufacturing, retail, real estate, and beyond.
As businesses worldwide face increasing pressure to decarbonize, GNFZ’s award-winning work proves that net zero is not only achievable but can be accelerated with the right expert guidance, innovative tools, and collaborative spirit. This is not just a win for GNFZ, it’s a win for climate action and a powerful signal that a net zero future is within reach.
