The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards setting and certification organisation, aiming to recognise and foster the responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. ASI is the result of producers, users and stakeholders in the aluminium value chain coming together with a commitment to maximising the contribution of aluminium to a sustainable society. Fiona Solomon, CEO of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative gives an insight into the ASI's thoughts about COVID 19 impact on the global aluminium value chain and developments in 2021 in the below interview: 

AlCircle: ASI has already certified major aluminium producers in the global aluminium value chain. How is it influencing the other companies to go for ASI Certification?

Fiona Solomon: Since the beginning of 2018, ASI has issued over 110 ASI Certifications to members in 40 countries.  Despite the challenging global situation in 2020, the ongoing uptake of ASI Certification is a good indication of the commitment of ASI members to the program.  During 2020, an additional 33 new ASI members joined in the Production and Transformation and Industrial Users membership classes, making their own commitment to ASI Certification in the next two years.  So we are seeing companies learning about ASI from their customers, suppliers or peers and taking the step to become involved.

Readers can find out more at:  https://aluminium-stewardship.org/evidence-of-growing-asi-certification-uptake-along-the-aluminium-value-chain/

AlCircle: What are your current thoughts about COVID 19 impact on the global aluminium value chain in 2021? 

Fiona Solomon: The many shifts in working arrangements and supply chains in response to the pandemic have opened up thinking about what will be the ‘new normal’.  Global sustainability issues such as the decarbonisation challenge, human rights and the role that commodities like aluminium should play in a truly ‘sustainable development’ approach are anticipated to receive growing attention in this context.

AlCircle: How ASI plans to include the global aluminium companies operated with fossil fuels like coal in their membership?

Fiona Solomon: ASI is conducting a major Standard Revision process, which includes proposed updates to the GHG criteria in the Performance Standard.  These changes are designed to be inclusive and to emphasise that all value chain participants have significant emissions reductions challenges in order for the aluminium industry to do its part towards the COP 21 agreement. 

Readers can find out more about the ASI Standards Revision, and how to provide feedback in the current public comment period, at:  https://aluminium-stewardship.org/asi-standards-revision/

AlCircle: What are the developments that have been made in 2020? Has ASI looking for new advances in 2021?

Fiona Solomon: During 2020, ASI through its Standards Committee and various Working Groups carried out an enormous amount of work for the Standards Revision process.  Fifty-six multi-stakeholder teleconferences were convened during the year with these groups – more than one per week – involving more than 150 participants collectively.  A huge range of topics and improvement points have been addressed through this work.  The first public consultation period for the proposed Revisions is open during March-April 2021, and we encourage all interested stakeholders to become involved.

In 2021, the Standards Revision work will continue to make important progress with a goal of launching the new version of the program in March 2022.ASI will also be regularly sharing analyses of outcomes and impacts; continuing to develop its assurance and support systems for Certification; and working on activities and projects that contribute to our strategic objectives to lead and drive change.

AlCircle: The total ASI Members have increased to 159 in February. What are the benefits ASI members companies are availing?

Fiona Solomon: Depending on an individual organisation’s goals, ASI membership provides opportunities to:

• Enhance reputation through proactive efforts to implement and support standards
• Access ASI’s learning program, educationAl, and expertise for implementation support
• Work towards ASI Certification using ASI’s customised online platform, elementAl
• Align practices with relevant regulatory, customer or stakeholder requirements
• Participate in multi-stakeholder dialogues on responsible production and sourcing

AlCircle: ASI Standards and Guidance documents are available in Chinese. Does ASI plan to launch these documents in other languages in 2021?

Fiona Solomon: ASI Standards and Guidance documents are currently available in French, Chinese and Japanese.  German translations are also in progress and should be available in the coming months.  We are indeed looking to add further languages in the lead-up to the new versions from the Standards Revision being launched in 2022, to reflect the diversity of ASI membership across the world.